Motivate me

Bob Nelson of Motivation, Inc. shared some tactics that caused me to think about what motivates each of us in work or life.

Some of those tactics included saying "thank you," listening, providing performance feedback, recognition, training opportunities, sense of ownership, trust, and continued success. Obviously, there are some interested and motivated specifically by monetary gain.

I have been motivated in both arenas of my life, personal and career, by the opportunity to learn and develop "a better way." I am interested to hear what motivates you - the recruiter, the sourcer, or the person.... What words do you work or live by?

I will be using what I learn here in a white paper I am putting together and would appreciate your input.

Thanks...
~Rayanne

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Permalink Reply by Vineet Sharma on September 2, 2008 at 1:06am

Hi Rayanne

Things that motivate me is the responsibility I have for some task and a sense of competition to do better and better every time I am given a task with better efficiency. I also like when people criticize me as it helps me to improve next time and prove them wrong. I never try to compare two individual but try to compete with some one better than me. I like when I am given a task that I have never done or I have never heard about it as it has the challenge of knowing the things first and then try to solve it. So for me the things that work is criticism, competition and challenges that work for me better than an thing.

Vineet Sharma

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Permalink Reply by Sally Raade on September 2, 2008 at 3:16am

Hi Rayanne,

This post is great to get one to think of why someone get up each and every morning
other than just to survive! These people can be in any part of your life; personal or professionaly.

I am motivated by people who have these Qualities:
1) They inspire me to be the best that I can.
2) They are the people whom I admire with the qualities that I seek to emulate.
3) They are willing to share their success stories/tools of the trade/life.
4) They are willing to be a mentor and they give me recognition for my success.
5) They are willing to listen to you and not judge you based on your thoughts/ideas.
6) They have some common goals, ideas and attitude in line with mine.
7) They have questions that makes me think why, when, where, who and what.
8) They believe in you when you don't believe in yourself - they are your
cheer leader in life.
9) They are positive, nice, open minded and perhaps have more experience.

My rules for success.....in personal or professional life
1) To treat people with respect
2) Give feedback when asked with tactfulness
3) Give ideas to help people solve their questions
4) To join forces with people whom you share common goals/ideas,
5) To dream bigger than you have imagined and to share them with others.
6) To recognized my peers for their success.
7) To inspire others to be the best at what they do.
8) To not judge people until you have been in their shoes.
9) Do a random act of kindness without wanting anything in return; you'll make
someone's day!

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Permalink Reply by Ryan on September 2, 2008 at 3:38pm

A simple question - but one I don't think is thought about much. I am going to guess the answers vary quite a bit - but here is what motivates me..

I am motivated by doing something that I enjoy and by doing something that challenges me. At the end of the day I want to know that I am making a positive impact in society. I want to be noticed for creating positive change - but I don't need to be glorified for my successes. A healthy competition whether it is internal to your company or with a corporate competitor always helps to make you strive to become (or maintain) #1. And lastly, i think we all know that the more "fun" we are having - the more productive and motivated we are to take things to the next level (sometimes even without realizing it).

Good luck with the whitepaper!
~ Ryan

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Permalink Reply by Amber Powell on September 2, 2008 at 3:40pm

Hi Rayanne,

I am absurdly motivated by what or who inspires me and excites me. Usually they are goals that are set and achieved for various reasons. Some short-term, others long-term. However, All of my goals feed Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

"Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly." Stephen R. Covey

"Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything." Napoleon Hill

"Finish what you start." (My Dad)

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Albright on September 2, 2008 at 3:51pm

As often as I can - when I think about it - I look my children in the eyes and tell them this:

"Kids - the Lord has given me this day and I promise to you and Him I will not waste it. I will do my best to make sure I take advantage of this great life we have been blessed with. I will try as hard as I can to ensure we as a family continue to have a bright future."

Say that to your children for those of you who have been blessed with them. If you need more motivation than that - I don't have any ideas for ya!

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Permalink Reply by Tina Huckabay on September 2, 2008 at 3:58pm

If my name is on it it makes me work till I think it can’t be any better. It is more integrity than pride but it could be both. Doing a good job says more about me than anything I can say to a person, it is my word in the form of my attitude, effort and result.

Asking youself, "Is that the best you got?" is all it takes me.....

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Ford on September 2, 2008 at 4:03pm

Maybe it is the practical realistic side of my personality, but I am motivated by achievable goals. I know people who set lofty lofty goals and this works for them; not for me. I am also motivated by being a catalyst for improvement in the lives of people first, company second. I am ALWAYS motivated by courtesy and good manners. And I guess the oldest of them all is being motivated by the Golden Rule.

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Permalink Reply by PJ Cunningham on September 2, 2008 at 4:04pm

Hello Rayanne,

Great question.

My answer is very simple. I am motivated by knowing I made an impact in someone's life. A sincere "Thank you" goes a very long way to motivate me to continue to do what I do. Even if I don't hear a "Thank you", as long as I know I am making a positive impact, I feel blessed.

The more you give, the more room you have to receive.

PJ Cunningham

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Permalink Reply by John Sumser on September 2, 2008 at 4:23pm

Hi Rayanne,

I am glad you started this thread. It's a good example of how to build a conversation.

Listen.

I am happiest when I wake up eager to get to work. I have been blessed with great stretches of time where it felt like each day brought real progress towards some important goal. I find that some sort of spiritual discipline is a critical foundation for an effective life. I've been through many.

I feel lucky most of the time. I have good fortune and great opportunity. Taking the opportunities is often like picking fruit at harvest time. Easy squeezee.

There are those times when it's not like that at all. Work is hard, opportunity scarce and luck is on vacation. Then, I substitute routine for motivation. I do what I do because it's what I always do. A solid routine can really make up for a shortage of motivation.

Finally, there are the times I wake up with someone else's blues. I can see all of the good things but it feels like crap. A five mile walk in the marsh is a good prescription.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Wilson on September 2, 2008 at 4:25pm

Rayanne:

I am motivated by being appreciated and being thought well of in regard to my professionalism and recruitment acumen...if I have both and am appreciated for both; the money will follow.

I hope this helps,
Steve Wilson

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Permalink Reply by Rob Clarke on September 2, 2008 at 4:50pm

I love this post Rayanne and everyone's feedback, I am inspired and motivated by genuine greatness - watching or listening to anyone who has perfected their craft to the ultimate level or at least better than anyone before them (ie, Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong, Michael Jordan, Warren Buffett) - it is amazing to watch someone perform at an unbelieveable level and thus I try to apply this in every area of my own life- not just in business, but being a father, husband, citizen, etc. - Commiting myself to constant and neverending improvement.

A couple of items and words that motivate me......

Tony Robbins on Ted Talks - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cpc-t-Uwv1I

And a quote from Marianne Williamson's "A Return to Love" ........
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

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Permalink Reply by John McAvoy on September 2, 2008 at 7:14pm

Rayanne

Great Subject...Lets see..I'm motovated by working with passionate people and sincere nurturing individuals...I live by work hard and play hard...

Right now I'd be really motivitated by a great recruiting contract..I'm unemployed and looking...

Any way thanks for making me think..would love to network

John