Motivation is expressed by a simple equation that computes the delta between what we want and what we have. Most often people attempt to equate this to monetary wealth and material accumulations. Earn $500k, you want to earn $1M. Have a nice house, you want a bigger one.
These are often temporary motivators and have strings attached that become restrictive and/or burdensome.
Less frequently, we observe dialed-in high performers with little regard for financial motivators. Instead, they stimulate action – motivating them self, someone else, a team, or even a population – by identifying what opens the valve of inspiration. Consider Maslow’s Hierarchy, at a base level: we crave food, shelter, clothing and a reliable car with a/c that blows cold and a free subscription to satellite radio. As we ascend the pyramid construct, we elevate our awareness to ourselves and others, and most importantly, the interconnectivity between. Instead of a lifetime chasing more dollars or material items that you don’t have now but want in the future, perhaps consider a tweak to how you compute motivation. Some examples might be:
If you want sustained fulfillment in your career, you have to put in the tough work seeking out new projects and opportunities to notch incremental achievement.
If you want health and mobility as a constant (and be able to overcome adversity), you have to take proactive measures to avoid the land mines of poor nutrition, dehydration, and a sedentary lifestyle.
If you want a life devoid of regret, you have to habitually lean into your growth zone, finding comfort in discomfort as you expand your horizon.
If you want social connectivity and abundance, you have to compromise and accept faults in others as your own faults.
If you want more hours in the day, you have to reduce your consumption of alcohol, edibles, social media and pornography (this includes food blogs).
If you want to maintain hugs from your children as they press into their teen years and beyond, you have to give them something to be drawn to by your engagement as they begin to figure themselves out.
If you want a lower, more consistent handicap in golf, you have to put in time at the short game practice area, chipping and putting. (Also try finishing a round with only one ball.)
IL PUNTO: There are no shortcuts…for anything worthwhile. The great news is – just as our decisions have crafted the life we have, the decisions we make ahead shape the wealth of life we want.
How might you consider higher-order motivators to stimulate growth in yourself? Your life? Your family? Your team?
What reconciling is necessary to overcome complacency in a life unfulfilled?
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