Motivation is from ‘motive’ which means reason, purpose, desire, need, or drives. It is about energy or stimulation to perform certain actions to achieve targeted goals or desired outcome. We should be aware of two forms of motivation ‘positive and negative’. By nature, we are attracted towards pleasure and try to avoid pain & suffering. In general, the actions we human perform to avoid pain or suffering is negative motivation i.e: fear of punishment for not performing or a student studying hard not to fail are negative motivations. On the other hand, working to secure next level / position or reward in future is positive motivation i.e: to improve competence which will help to secure next position or will result in better performance. All of us do certain actions and there are always one or the other motive behind them which can be money, fame, satisfaction, appreciation, job security, career growth…etc.
A motivated employee will become the cause
of business growth. Working with positive approach is always rewarding and
satisfying. In an employee role, we are more motivated if,
a.
Management opens the doors for
learning and development which reflects that they consider you as part of them
and they are ready to invest in you
b.
A clear progression path is
defined and everyone knows the steps to take and ladder to move up
c.
When an effort or an action has
brought resulted to organization, it must be recognized and appreciated.
Appreciation can be in term of monetary value or recognition (vary situation to
situation and condition to condition).
d.
Certain level of confidence
sharing is demonstrated. Self-governance at work with sense of responsibility
provides a good level of confidence. Defining roles and responsibilities and
freedom to express themselves without any fear of losing their position will
ultimately build that confidence. It is about hearing voice and acknowledging
that you are important.
e.
They are provided with a good
working environment.
In occupational health & safety, we
look into the ways to motivate the workforce, for example: follow the
instructions, implement procedures or wear PPEs. Effective communication,
involving people, responding to needs & concerns, respect at workplace,
supportive gesture are the basic management issues and definitely do not forget
to be a role model. People do not listen words, they see what leaders are
doing. Leadership is very important to motivate workforce towards desired
direction.
Following are a few motivating tips they
will help us to step forward and improve where we lack,
i.
Why of your life: Find out the purpose of your life with clarity and it will become
your passion to move on.
ii.
Staying focused and
visualizing bigger picture: Times and again, you
will feel bore, doing repetitive things, irritated, many things still
pending…etc, at those times, be focused by keeping your eyes on bigger picture.
Imagine what is your target and where you want to be.
iii.
Be active: It is difficult to keep yourself motivated if mood is not good.
The study shows that exercising for 30 minutes reduces stress and help to stay
active.
iv.
Like-minded people around
you: You will find people around you who are doing
the same thing what you are doing so you need to find people around you who become
the source of encouragement, radiate positive energy and keep you motivated.
v.
Motivational quotes: Keep motivational quote in-front of your eyes. You can post them
on your mirror so can see while moving around or starting from place in the
morning. It will motivate you to stay on the course.
vi.
Create small goals: We can have big dreams however we can split them in small goal and
achieving those small targets in defined (short) time will encourage you and
boost energy level to do more.
vii.
Spare time for yourself: It is said that we will not enjoy if we have perfect life so take
calculated risk, take chance and see where the wind takes you to.
viii.
Meditate: We are living in a world where too many information is being
pumped in. Our brain need break so we need to meditate. Close your eyes, calm
down.
ix.
Brain storm your ideas,
write them down: Not necessary that all the ideas
are good however whatever comes in your mind, write it down. Brain storming
from all angles will help you to screen them out. Out of hundreds, you may find
one idea which you find actionable and result oriented.
x.
Visual your future and work
to make it happen: Think about what you are going
to achieve and what impact you will make. Visualize it & make it happen.
I have mentioned a few motivation theories,
listed here-under with a short brief, which will help us to develop our
understanding on the subject,
1.
Abraham Maslow theory: (known as hierarchy of human need) says, human will be motivated
when their needs are fulfilled. He presented 5 levels (physiological, safety
& protection, belonging & love, self-esteem and self-actuation) and it
start from lowest level to higher. According to his theory we cannot move to
next level unless we have not secured the lower / previous level.
2.
Herzberg’s two factor theory: Classified the needs into hygiene factors (policies &
administration, supervision, interpersonal relations, working conditions,
salary, status and security) and motivating factors (achievement, recognition,
work, responsibility, advancement & growth). Hygiene factor are required to
ensure, the employee is not dissatisfied and motivating factors are to ensure
higher performance of any employee.
3.
McClelland’s Theory of Need: Explain three motivating factors and they are Achievement,
Affiliation and Power. Achievement is about the need to accomplish a task on
their own and demonstrate competence. Affiliation refers to love belonging and
social acceptance (they are connected socially & don’t like conflicts).
Power is about the need to control own work or of others (they are more
concerned with level of their influence than effective work performance). This theory sounds very close to Maslow
theory, isn’t it?
4.
Vroom’s Theory of
Expectancy: Victor Vroom stated that people will be
highly productive, first if they believe that their efforts will bring success,
second if they are successful then they will get reward of their success and
third is the degree of value for the reward which they will receive.
5.
Adam’s Equity Theory: According to this theory,
people are motivated if they are treated equitably, and get what they feel is fair
for their efforts (what an individual receives for his / her work has a direct
effect on his / her motivation)
As far as theories are concerned, motivation is the mental state which pushes us to perform things to get the desired outcomes. We need to maximize positive motivation. It is the role of the leader to ensure everyone in the team is energized & motivated.
