The Most Powerful Motivator: How to Inspire Yourself and Others

How do you get others to do what you want them to do? Generally people and companies motivate with some combination of fear, punishment and material reward. "Do this or else," couched in some more politically correct way is most often used. The "or else" can be a negative consequence and/or the threatened loss of monetary reward, employment, or positive attention. We also use this aversion-attraction technique on ourselves, reprimanding and threatening ourselves with self criticism to try to get us moving, or promising ourselves some reward/special treat unrelated to the project we are working on. In business, the most common motivator is monetary, and yet studies have shown consistently that money is not the top incentivizer. What is? It's a feeling of connection, commitment and passion for the cause. This is similarly important for yourself and in relationships; you are more inclined to do something when you understand and are engaged with the outcome. Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower The key is to motivation is to get people to appreciate and agree with the "why" of the project or cause. Once the purpose of the project is clear, then you and everyone's relationship to the goal becomes more obvious. The north point has been defined; the best way to accomplish the particular mission can then be decided. Establishing a coherent reason gives everyone something they can understand a...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news