Blog: Spirituality

Motivation is a topic that I often integrate in many of my trainings for helping to create inspired workplaces.  As I share with you both some principles of motivation and de-motivators, think of which ones most supports your spirituality in the workplace and which ones hinder it the most for you.

Principles of Motivation:

• Everyone is motivated.
• We are all motivated by different things at different times in our lives.
• In general, people get up in the morning wanting to do a good job.
• Intrinsic motivators are those things that motivate us from inside (values, beliefs, talents, strengths, purpose etc.)
• Extrinsic motivators are those things that motivated us from the outside (money, promotions, recognition etc.)
• Intrinsic motivators have a more lasting effect on performance than extrinsic motivators
• If a person appears unmotivated, experiment until you find something they care about.
• Motivation works best when you can find the keys to people’s hearts by connecting with them and then adding value to what matters most to them.

Typical De-Motivators:

• Politics
• Unnecessary rules
• Poorly designed work
• Unproductive meetings
• Lack of accomplishment or follow-through
• Constant change
• Dishonesty or hypocrisy
• Lack of information
• Too much information
• Criticism
• Being undervalued or utilized
• Invisible management
• Being taken for granted
• Micro-management
• Takeaways
• No perceived career path
• No input in decisions
• Unrealistic expectations
• Not enough feedback
• Too much work
• Too much repetition
• Not enough training
• Tolerating poor performance

For me, when I’m able to pursue those intrinsic motivators at work that touch my soul is when I’m highly motivated.  The principle about being able to connect with people’s hearts and motivate by giving them opportunities that matters most to them is the key!  I know that projects I’ve lead have been much more successful when I’ve implemented this principle with those working with me.  Two of the de-motivators that would squelch this for me is being micro-managed or undervalued.  How about for you?

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For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.

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Janae Bower is an inspirational speaker, award-winning author and training consultant. She founded Finding IT, a company that specializes in personal and professional development getting to the heart of what matters most. Janae started Project GratOtude, a movement to increase gratitude in people’s lives.