Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder Editor
A multimillion-dollar industry has been built around self-help books and seminars that promise to motivate you to finally achieve your professional, financial and personal goals. But what is it that truly motivates us? Here are the six elements that fire us up and push us to thrive.
Competition.
Liz Lange, renowned designer of maternity fashions, including her Liz Lange and Liz Lange for Target collections, says she is driven by competition. "It is of utmost importance to me to stay ahead of the game and be the best," Lange admits. Competition is one of human nature's built-in motivators. That explains why Employee of the Month programs are so prevalent. From retail to accounting to fast food, most businesses have some type of employee competition that relies on the power of recognition to encourage employees to strive for excellence.
Ownership of a project.
Obviously bonuses and other traditional monetary incentives can spur employees to give it their all. But ownership of a project is also a catalyst for giving your all. Lange says, "Financial gain aside, I think most people are motivated by personal goals and the feeling they have accomplished something meaningful. If employees feel they can directly contribute to the company's success by holding ownership of key projects, they will feel an alliance to the company."
A balanced work atmosphere.
How an employee feels about his job can either stimulate or suppress motivation. That's why allowing employees to strike a good balance between work and home is so important. Relieving the pressures of maintaining the work-home balancing act keeps employees energized to meet their goals -- both personal and professional. Companies would be wise to recognize that flexible work arrangements and mandatory vacation time could be as important as monetary incentives to keep their employees inspired and productive. Lange stresses this concept in her own company, "I like to encourage my employees to recognize that taking quality time for themselves out of the office will help to keep them fresher and more focused on their jobs."
Reducing clutter.
Cleaning the slate and culling through the numerous distractions in your life can pull you out of a funk and help you focus on the goals truly important to you. This could mean reducing your kids' hectic schedules, enlisting the help of the entire family in household chores or carving out some much-needed down time for yourself. Sometimes when we feel overwhelmed things seem hopeless and we lose direction. Prioritizing activities in our lives helps us regain the drive and enthusiasm to take on and achieve our goals.
Trying something new -- even if it's risky.
Sometimes motivation comes from a source outside your normal comfort zone. "To those who feel ‘stuck in a rut,' and who might happen to have an idea for a new business, I would recommend that they make a go of it," Lange advises. "It is certainly hard and a bit scary to start from scratch, especially in light of naysayers. But if you really believe in your business, I think you will make things happen by whatever means necessary. It's your love for your business that will give you the drive to succeed."
A positive attitude.
Having an upbeat outlook is so important to succeed. But every now and then, we all have one of those days. When this happens, Lange suggests you head to a yoga class or the gym to flush out the stresses of the day and remember you can start fresh tomorrow. And remember, she says, "If you feel passionately about what you do, you are so much more apt to aim high." That's motivation in a nutshell.