What Motivates You?

Although it won't be released until January 27, 2009, Tamara Lowe's new book, Get Motivated!: Overcome Any Obstacle, Achieve Any Goal and Accelerate Your Success with Motivational DNA, was featured in the January-February 2009 issue of body + soul magazine. Based on an eight-year study of more than 10,000 participants, Lowe reports that her research team found that a combination of six factors motivates people, each to varying degrees: productivity, connection, stability, variety, and internal and external awards. Here is a brief description of each:

• Productivity: Classic "Type A" personalities. Driven to get things done. Extraordinary will-power and self-disciple. Bold, self-assured, decisive, and wired for leadership. Fast-paced and task-oriented. Mantra: "Get it done yesterday."
  
• Connection: Loyal, empathetic, and supportive. Driven to build relationships. Rather fit in than stand out. Responsive to the needs of others. Find happiness in making others happy. Fueled by quality time with family, friends, social work environments, and open-ended timeframes. Mantra: "Don't go it alone."
  
• Stability: Practical, careful, and consistent. Fulfilled by predictable and safe routines. Great with schedules, systems, and organization. Value accuracy and rely on logic. Mantra: "Slow and steady."
  
• Variety: Dynamic, upbeat, and creative. Fulfilled by novelty and imaginative adventures. Not flustered by rapid transitions or last-minute modifications. Able to shift gears and turn on a dime. Mantra: "It has to be fun."
  
• Internal: Focused on mission and meaning. Inspired by a sense of contribution. Psychological pay is of primary importance. Sets worthwhile goals and seeks private recognition / feedback. Mantra: "If it's for the greater good, then it's worth doing."
  
• External: Focused on hard work and tangible assets. Inspired by feats of strength and record-breaking wins. Compensation, perks, and privileges come with the territory. Mantra: "Work hard, play hard."

In the article, Lowe goes on to identify some of the demotivators for each type, as well as strategies to get their groove back. Coaches do many of these things naturally, in the course of our work with clients. But anyone can become aware of and learn to work more successfully with their motivators.

Coaching Inquiries: What motivates you? What types do you identify with most? What types do you identify with least? What strategies work for you when you are feeling unmotivated? Who assists you to get back on track?

If you would like to learn more about our Coaching Programs and to arrange for a complementary coaching session, Click Here or Email Us.