This week’s Pearl of Leadership Wisdom is on…….

Motivation

“What you have to do and the way you have to do it is incredible simple. Whether you are willing to do it, that’s another matter.”
- Peter Drucker
Motivation….that which gives purpose.

Here we are again, another Monday for most of us. What will give us purpose today?

Well, there’s three kinds of motivation:

Firstly there’s FEAR motivation. Do this or I’ll hit you with a stick/fire you. Does this motivate, give purpose? It can, for a while. It can be good to have a “burning platform” when affecting change in a business. But FEAR motivation is external to us, it is imposed upon us from outside. And it is temporary. People will find a way to shield themselves from the FEAR. Or get their own stick.

Secondly, there’s INCENTIVE…..do this and I’ll give you a large pile of money, carrot etc. Does this give purpose? It can do. But again, it’s external and temporary. When the donkey’s had a carrot it may not want another for some time. Or it may not do anything at all before the carrot is given – the incentive has become custom and practice. The drug no longer works.

Thirdly, there’s ATTITUDE motivation. We find purpose and a reason to do what we need to do because we are crystal clear on our own personal, worthwhile goals. We have really understood what we want and where we are going and what we need to do to get there. We are in charge. We have our own map. Our ATTITUDE drives us. This is internal. This is permanent. It does not ebb and flow. It serves us well.

So if there’s not enough ATTITUDE motivation in your life, email me for a goal planning sheet and begin to generate some of it right now.

Next week…..

Are We Conditioned? – what’s true and what’s not – the power of conditioning.