Saturday, February 10, 2007

What Motivates People to Work?

In an article taken from www.peoplestuff.com.au
Surprise results may change the way you think!
An American magazine Psychology Today published some startling statistics, taken from a survey they conducted.
The question was; "What makes you want to work?"
The top 5 answers were astonishing to many people in management.
1. Doing work that makes me feel good about myself.
2. Accomplishing something worthwhile.
3. Learning new things.
4. Developing my skills and abilities.
5. Having a certain amount of freedom on the job.
Pay came in at number 12 - and Fringe benefits were a lowly 16.
Makes you wonder doesn't it? My thought on this matter is that people work more for an idea than any thing else. Viktor Frankl in his book “Man’s Search for Meaning” Stated that if you have a big enough why, you can overcome any how. Making money is important. We all have to eat and pay bills. However, it is the hunger of the soul that needs nourishing as much as the physical body. People want to give back. The old parable really rings true “there is more in giving than in receiving” There is so much talk about the power of “Intention” and “Abundance”. This survey really brings attention to this in a profound way. Success really does come from our ability to do things for others. That does not mean we have to take a vow of poverty or anything like that. I believe it simply means that we get more in return than we give. The laws of nature operate by this principle. When we plant seeds, we do not get a 1to 1 return. We often get much in return for the one seed. I think it is like that in our work. You have to give to get. I think that is a pretty good trade, “Give a little, and Get a lot”. Try to give back in some way today. It makes no difference if it is in a big way or in some small matter, choose to make a difference in somebody’s life. I think you will be richly rewarded for your efforts.

2 comments:

Herman said...

There’s an old African saying that “To till the land is to love oneself”. I think that true motivation for work comes from a place of love - whether it's love for onesel, love for family, love for society, etc.

Martin Gill said...

A business consultant I know recently said that it still comes down to survival. I guess there is some truth in that if we take away the cynicism and judgement. Frankl survived by keeping his humanity alive. He somehow became conscious of the effect it had upon him and led to his logotherapy theory.