Motivation at its core is NEED.
Maybe it’s also want. And, motivation is the desire to accomplish something. It is the desire to get better, to have something better, or to at least have something different than what we have now.
The word motivation is derived from the Latin root “mot” which means to move, the reason for action. And it talks about moving in a direction with intensity.
Also as a side note, the Latin word “motivus” means power. So broken down, motive and us; we as a group have power.
So how does someone get motivated? They must know their direction and their need. Other people can’t do it for you, but they can support you.
Here is an African Proverb which has been linked back to many motivational people.
“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.” ~ Credited to Dan Montano an Economist in 1985
What motivates the Gazelle is different than what motivates the lion directly, but each of their respective desires to live life is the core.
Many people find motivation a mystery. I’ve heard it said… I can’t motivate him or her. It’s because you can’t truly motivate anyone else. You can support them – when you know what their direction is and what their desires are.
How do you find that out as a leader? Talk to your people. Have meaningful conversations. How do you find what motivates you, yourself? The thing is… most people already know, the key is to grab hold, and start running!
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