Secrets to Motivating Yourself and Others

There is hardly anything more personal that what motivates each of us to perform in a work environment. Here's some insight into how to choose the best "carrot" to motivate both yourself ... and others.

The ENTREPRENEUR

Core belief: "I need to be in charge of what I do, for whom and when."

These independent problem-solvers must feel in charge, whether working in their own business or for someone else. Their biggest motivation is autonomy. They truly enjoy taking responsibility for their own successes and failures.

Best carrot: A bonus, a piece of the action, or a performance-based commission. If this is you ? most likely just having your own business is a huge carrot in itself!

The LIFESTYLER

Core belief: "I'm working to live ... not living to work."

These high-energy folks want to enjoy their work, but consider it a means to an end. They want time to pursue their own personal interests.

Best carrot: Free time to pursue their passions ? time off, additional vacation days, or perhaps flex-time. If this is your "style," you might want to think about finding a way to integrate your passion with a business of your own. This is true entrepreneurial motivation!

The PERSONAL DEVELOPER

Core belief: "Stretch me. I need to be learning."

These folks value a work situation where they're being stretched, or acquiring new skills. They're easily bored with routines or lack of challenging assignments. They want to advance in their career, and identify more with their profession than with an employer.

Best carrot: Send them to a skill-building course or seminar. Is this you? Most self-made millionaires agree that the best "skill" to pursue is increased self knowledge!

The CAREER BUILDER

Core belief: "I'll do whatever I need to do to get ahead."

True career builders evaluate their work in terms of true opportunities for advancement and increased responsibility. They tend to be ambitious, and status and prestige are primary motivation.

Best carrot: The chance to head a high-profile project, and get open recognition for the results. Is this you? Think about joining some professional associations and taking a position of leadership!

The INDEPENDENT THINKER

Core belief: "I have to be true to my own insights."

Independent thinkers won't sacrifice their personality or personal creativity in favor of a company role. They are often very spontaneous and creative.

Best carrot: Ask them what they want ? and try to give them what they ask for. If you're one of those independent thinkers, you should probably begin to think about being in business for yourself! Then YOU can decide what you want, and give it to yourself!

The TEAM PLAYER

Core belief: "I'm a people person."

Team players bond strongly with their team or work group. They take much of their identity from belonging to a team, and are usually not happy working alone. They are extremely loyal to their team, and need to work with people they enjoy.

Best carrot: A chance to play with their team members. How about a team picnic or ski trip? If you are a team player ? a good way to climb up the success ladder would be to join a team committed to starting a new venture. But make sure you feel good about the other players!

The author, Dr Jill Ammon-Wexler, is a doctor of psychology, pioneer brain/mind researcher, and former advisor to the Pentagon, a Presidential Commission, and numerous top executives and executive teams. The author of several books and hundreds of articles, she is also the co-founder of quantum-self.com, and the Creative Director of the Self Discovery Community. She can be reached at: drjill@quantum-self.com

Come visit the exciting Self Discovery Community. Discover the most interesting, unusual, stimulating and creative methods of self discovery on the web today! Free sizzling weekly ezine, and the web's first Brain Gym ezone. http://www.quantum-self.com

In The News:


Cal still has plenty of motivation
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 7 hours ago
Cal's preseason goals of winning the Pac-10 title and playing in the Rose Bowl are no longer attainable, so senior defensive end Rulon Davis called a ...
Cal still smarts from '07 Big Game defeat Contra Costa Times
The Big Game will be a big game for Stanford Arizona Daily Star
Don't Know What You've Got Daily Californian
San Jose Mercury News - San Francisco Chronicleall 230 news articles

Army football preview: Mooney has plenty of motivation
Times Herald-Record, NY - 8 hours ago
But personal achievements aren't Mooney's motivation when he takes the field at Rutgers Saturday. "It's really for the program right now as far setting them ...

Bleacher Report

Oakland Raiders: 41-14 Will be the Motivation for Sunday's Rematch
Bleacher Report, CA - 20 hours ago
by greg pitsch (Columnist) When the season was just getting started, the Raider Nation was in full force to deter the haters that always seem to find us, ...

Washington Post

Michigan has plenty motivation to beat Buckeyes
Chicago Tribune, United States - Nov 18, 2008
"Our current players have not gotten a win over Ohio State, so that's probably the motivation for us, particularly our seniors. ...
OSU-UM Rivalry Up Close: Antwerp's Bryan Gray in his senior season ... Defiance Crescent News
Rich Rodriguez coached by many on OSU-Michigan tradition Detroit Free Press
OSU chasing Big Ten title Independent Collegian (subscription)
Toledo Blade - OSU - The Lanternall 1,066 news articles

Pitt State running back cites mother as motivation
Pittsburg Morning Sun, KS - Nov 20, 2008
His mother’s motivation does not take away the love he has for his son, who lives in San Jose, Calif. “I always think about him,” Brandon said. ...

Ottawa Citizen

Stamps plan to use lack of respect as motivation
TSN.ca, Canada - 12 hours ago
... feel is a lack of respect into a motivational tool for Sunday's Grey Cup game at Olympic Stadium (coverage begins at 3pm et/Noon pt on TSN and TSN HD). ...
Cohon spreads good news Toronto Star
Grey Cup finalists urged to 'enjoy the moment' Belleville Intelligencer
Grey Cup really a Matter of mInds Ottawa Citizen
Vancouver Sunall 608 news articles

New York Times

Oklahoma's Stoops: This game is motivation enough
Dallas Morning News, TX - Nov 17, 2008
"We've got all the motivation you need without having to bring up the fact they beat us a year ago," Stoops said. "It's all about this year and what the ...
Sooners looking for victory, not revenge RedRaiders.com
Big XII Week 13 Preview (only 2 games this week) Protrade
Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma Football Betting Odds & Spread BetFirms
OnlineSportsHandicapping.com - Dallas Morning Newsall 852 news articles

I look at acting more as motivation than inspiration: Katrina
Zee News, India - 1 hour ago
Katrina: I look at it more as motivation than inspiration. For me beauty is a matter of opinion. It happens quite a lot of times that people tell me this ...

Round 2 bugaboo a motivation for SHS
Muskogee Daily Phoenix, OK - Nov 20, 2008
By Jeremy Short After watching their season come to an end in the second round of the playoffs in consecutive seasons, Sequoyah takes that step again toward ...

Gift Guide: Fitness gadgets to revive motivation
The Age, Australia - 17 hours ago
But now that winter is arriving, sapping my motivation to get off the couch, I've started looking at fitness gadgets that could help refresh my workouts. ...
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