Category Archives: Motivation

Men go to far greater lengths to avoid what they fear than to obtain what they desire

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“Men go to far greater lengths to avoid what they fear than to obtain what they desire.”

—Dan Brown, author of The DaVinci Code

Image from Unsplash by M.T. ElGassier

Loss aversion is rooted in prospect theory, which indicates that people fear losses twice as intensely as they value gain.

Neuron-scientific evidence shows the brain’s amygdala reacts more strongly to losses which amplify emotional discomfort. These biases drive risk-adverse behavior such as clinging to familiar routines or avoiding investments due to fear of failure.

The pursuit of dreams is fueled by intrinsic motivation and self-determination theory which emphasizes aligning actions with personal values and autonomy. Although these kinds of actions foster self-actualization and long-term fulfillment, such efforts usually require confronting loss aversion’s gravitational pull.

EXERCISE:

In what ways can you overcome the primal risk-averse response of loss-aversion and be more intentional and self-aware of your intrinsic motivation to realize far more of your desires?

 

In your attempts to achieve and succeed, celebrate the efforts not just the outcomes

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In your attempts to achieve and succeed, celebrate the efforts not just the outcomes.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Anna Samoylova

In my most active business development years I invented a point system to keep me motivated and in action. Instead of only looking at my sales metrics for how I was doing, I gave myself points for all actions that could and often did lead to quantifiable results.

Phone calls, emails, social media efforts, and even research on prospective customers all counted. Attending networking functions, scheduling meetings, and even getting business cards and contact information scored points.

At the end of each day, I could quantify my level of activity and knew that my efforts would eventually pay off.

EXERCISE:

Where and how do you celebrate and give yourself credit for your attempts and efforts, regardless of the outcomes?  How would such a practice help keep you motivated when you might otherwise become discouraged?

“Just keep swimming.”

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“Just keep swimming.”

—Dory, in Finding Nemo

Image from Unsplash by Tyler Nix

I recently watch the Netflix series Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones. During his exploration, author Dan Buettner travels around the world to places such as Okinawa, Sardinia, Singapore, the Greek islands, and even places in the U.S. to discover the secrets of a long and vibrant life.

Among the variety of strategies for living longer, healthier lives is a focus on movement. Unlike many western societies where lifestyles can be fairly sedentary, it is pleasing to see the simple practices of physical daily chores and walking comprise a majority component of their fitness endeavors.

EXERCISE:

Where and how can and do your incorporate movement into your days?

How might a few more laps, a bike ride, walking with friends, or taking the stairs add a few more years to your life and life to your years?

Take a broader view of your track record

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Take a broader view of your track record. What did you pick up and learn when you fell? How quickly did you stand again to give things another go?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Nils Huenerfuerst

Just before 7:00 each morning you can find me playing Wordle. I consider it a form of cerebral stretching that helps me warm up my mental muscles. My interest in its statistical feedback is one of the reasons I haven’t missed a day in over a year.

In the early stages of my Wordle-ing efforts it often took more attempts to solve each puzzle. On a number of occasions, I failed completely.

Every few months I evaluate my progress with some grade school arithmetic to get a broader view of my running average score.

EXERCISE:

Where would taking a broader view of your track record over time serve you best? What critical lessons have your learned? What motivates you to keep going when you occasionally stumble or fall?

“If you don’t understand what makes people tick, they won’t tick.”

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“If you don’t understand what makes people tick, they won’t tick.”

—Robert Swan — British explorer & the first person to walk to both Poles

Image from Unsplash by Anne Nygård

Ever since I can remember I’ve been fascinated by how things work. I distinctly recall, as a child, taking apart a Baby Ben alarm clock to see what was inside that made it tick.

These days, I’m far more interested in what makes the people around me tick, to better discover how to improve my relationships, understand their motivations, and to help bring out their best through my coaching efforts.

Although there are multitudes of tools and assessments to help in this process, I’ve found the simple but often not easy work of collaborative conversations — where seeking to understand and be sincerely interested — works best.

EXERCISE:

How masterful are you in the art of dialogue and conversation?  Where and with whom would greater skill and practice help you understand what make these people tick even better?

Friday Review: Motivation

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Friday Review: Motivation

To what degree are you self-motivated, situation-motivated, or motivated by others? Here are a few posts about motivation you may have missed.

 

“Plant the seeds of beautiful ideas in your mind and water them with belief and action.”

 

 

 

“When we do what we have to do we are compliant. When we do what we choose to do we are committed.”

 

 

 

“Work for a cause, not for applause.”

 

 

 

 

“Happy millionaires do what they love.”

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“Happy millionaires do what they love.”

—Ken Honda, Japan’s best selling zen millionaire

Image from Amazon

Someone once told me that money is a scoreboard for value. A second concept that I’ve taken to heart is: “Time is the Coin of Life.”

How are you spending your time, and what value are you creating in the world?

What is your current level of happiness and life satisfaction?

Research has proven time and again that intrinsic motivation – that based on deeply held values and beliefs – creates far more sustainable and lasting rewards than any external scoreboard could measure.

EXERCISE:

Consider taking a look at Ken Honda’s work, including his book, Happy Money. Lynn Twist’s book, The Soul of Money, is another excellent resource to help you live a more richly rewarding life.

“Profit is the applause you get for taking care of your customers and creating a motivating environment for your people.”

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“Profit is the applause you get for taking care of your customers and creating a motivating environment for your people.”

—Ken Blanchard, internationally-known management consultant and author

Image from Unsplash by Ezra Jeffrey-Comeau

Without question, loyal customers and happy employees are foundational for a successful business. Companies that go from good to great and are built to last support these critical stakeholders, in most cases, far better than their competition.

To determine the basis for your own current level of applause/profit, ask yourself and your colleagues two questions:

  1. How extraordinary is our care and attention to the things our customers want, need, and desire?
  2. How inspired and motivated are our people to leap out of bed each morning to come to work?

EXERCISE:

What actions can and will you take to deserving and receive more standing ovations from these groups, now and into the future?

“Success is not to be pursued. It is to be attracted by the person you become.”

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“Success is not to be pursued. It is to be attracted by the person you become.”

—Jim Rohn, 20th Century American motivational speaker

Image from jimrohn.com

Jim Rohn, who passed away in 2009, was a personal development pioneer.

His over 6,000 seminars, countless books, tapes, learning programs and, of course inspirational quotes, have influenced millions.

Many of his wisest lessons were focused on our abilities to work on ourselves and contribute to others in our various communities.

One of his many students was a young, broke, down-and-out Tony Robbins, who has said many times that Rohn was the man who turned his life around. Tony, as we all know, has been working on himself for decades, and has paid forward similar lessons to millions.

EXERCISE:

What are the strategies, habits, and behaviors that help you continue your personal best journey?

What additional approaches can you incorporate in your days to both contribute to others and attract the success you desire?

When we do what we have to do we are compliant

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“When we do what we have to do we are compliant. When we do what we choose to do we are committed.”

—Marshall Goldsmith, American Leadership Coach

Image from a3carpetcleaning.com

To what degree are you an “extra credit” type of person? Recall your early educational experiences, in which a special teacher or a special subject motivated you well beyond just meeting expectations and passing the course. They motivated you to experience new levels of excellence, achievement, and of course, greater personal growth.

What about today in your vocational and avocational efforts? Where do you choose to go the extra mile and exceed expectations versus simply doing just enough to maintain your employment (for the moment) and get by?

EXERCISE:

To help you make the shift from compliant to committed, consider exploring the work of Dan Pink in his book, Drive, to see how greater autonomy, mastery, and purpose will help you choose and eventually realize a far more fulfilling and rewarding life.