Motivation – What MOVES You?

A couple years ago, I attended a non-public educators conference in which Daniel Pink gave the keynote address.  I was mesmerized by what I felt was the absolute truth of what he was saying.

We left brainers are in trouble.  Many of the lower level “left-brain” positions are easily computerized.

Who did their taxes with a computer program this year?  Who was too lazy to buy software and used the free online version?  ::raising hand high::

So the answer then is to become more right brained…more able to seek creative solutions to problems.  And guess what?  Money doesn’t always motivate people…

The video – while interesting – is 18 minutes long…so here’s a synopsis:

• According to his, and others’, research, monetary incentives can often have a negative impact on overall performance.

Sounds like crazy talk, doesn’t it??  The research bears it out.

Instead we are mostly motivated by intrinsic factors: autonomy, mastery, purpose.

I have been thinking about what motivates me…not inspires…but motivates.  For me, inspiration is nothing more than a pleasant thought about what I could be doing.  Motivation, the ability to get off my butt and actually do it despite my unwillingness or perceived inability, is more important.

Behold my motiviation:

Eminem.

What?

…..WHAT?

Yeah.

Listen to the words to “Lose Yourself,” and something about it absolutely makes me think I can do anything and that I had better get busy with it immediately. Right now.

Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity, To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment, Would you capture it? Or just let it slip?…This world is mine for the taking …. You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow, This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo…. Success is my only — option, failure’s not…Feet fail me not ’cause maybe the only opportunity that I got…You can do anything you set your mind to, man.

As Anthony Williams said at the end of his run on Project Runway, “I blame Beyonce for everything.  You listen to her songs and think your ass can do anything.”

Music is a powerful motivator.

What is your motivation?