Motivation & Going the Extra Mile

Do you know people that work 60+ hour weeks and don't complain ?  How about those that volunteer for their community by coaching, or for their church by singing or advising those with less, or even in their families by being the 'go-to babysitters' ?

I'm sure you do, most of us know people that do those things, and perhaps some of us even do it ourselves -  but what motivates this behaviour ?   What drives us to get up at 5am, to work-out, or stay late and make personal sacrifices for the benefit of work or others in our lives.  In my work, we talk a little about business and personal agendas - the drivers we experience that cause us to do certain things.  But there's more to it I think.  Some people are simply wired to try a little harder out of a sense of wanting to be better, or the fear of the latter -  wanting to avoid looking worse.   I might suggest that there's an altruism spectrum, with Mother Theresa at one end, and a black-hole of selfishness on the other end.  Most of us are in the average, middle area, though some of us are clearly more altruistic than others.

These people tend to stand out in whatever group they find themselves in, they're the caring and giving ones.  It's great to recognize them, but the need to understand their motives doesn't always strike us.   I think it's a truism to suggest we can't force people to be selfless - not for any length of time anyway.  Any attempts to do that are misguided and ill-conceived.  The way to stimulate that behaviour is to reward the original motivation - show the fitness-oriented real gains in strength or capabilities, demonstrate to the work-focussed a raise, a promotion or a bigger office.  Show tangible results for those that strive to do a better job.  If I'd like to see someone try even harder, I might help them achieve the desired results they're aiming for, and in the process develop a sense of deep loyalty in that person.

Think about this the next time you see a situation, any situation where attempts are being made to force 'extra's' out of someone.  The way to see success here isn't a stick, or even a carrot for that matter...it's standing beside them and helping them realize the outcome they seek.