The Motivated Person

A price has to be paid for success. Almost invariably those who have reached the summits worked harder and longer, studied and planned more assiduously, practiced more self-denial, overcame more difficulties than those of us who have not risen so far. ~ B. C. Forbes

We all form opinions based on a person's appearance. A motivated person will surely have a smart outward appearance; their hair will look as though it has been taken care of, clothes will be pressed and freshly laundered, shoes clean. The outward appearance is therefore of somebody who cares about themselves.

One should also notice the way people walk. A person who walks with a purpose and with speed makes a better employee than a person who slouches and has a lazy walk. Do they amble along with their hands in their pockets or is there a spring in the step and arms swinging for propulsion? Body language will convey a person's enthusiasm. A smiling face, sparkling eyes and a positive facial expression can certainly covey an individual's motivation.

Students of body language claim that in Europe, they are able to communicate with approximately 40000 words and sounds, though on a day-to-day basis we habitually use just 4000. On the other hand, body language signals conveyed from the face alone can number 15000.

The majority of people can control what they say. So whenever body language is in conflict with the spoken word due to the sheer number of body language signals, the body language will almost certainly be conveying the correct information. So somebody saying that they actually feel fine, but with a pained facial expression or stooped shoulders that clearly shows the opposite, can be studied, and their true feelings can be deduced.

Finally, how does a motivated person communicate? With enthusiasm. A motivated person talks about the future, what they are doing or planning to do. The past is used as experience to recognize and turn opportunities into success. The motivated person, therefore has a zest of life and is a pleasure to be with.

And above everything else, a motivated person is what one could easily describe as a positive person. That is, showing the characteristics of an attitude that is:

• positive
• motivated by a purpose
• expecting to succeed

This in turn generates energy. Motivated people seem to have an abundance of this. You have heard the expression: If you want something done, ask a busy person.

Rewards = Results. You get more of the behaviour you reward. You don't get what you hope for, ask for, wish for or beg for. You get what you reward. The greatest management principle suggests that the things that get rewarded get done. So, as a manager or leader of others, you must check and ask yourself: What do you recognise and reward? Fail to reward the right behaviour and you will most likely get the wrong results.



Motivators For Teachers

Responsiblity
It's a fact of life: For every action there is a reaction. Our words and deeds have a lasting influence, like ripples on the pond when a pebble is tossed in. And taking responsibility for those ripples is part of the maturing process.

Teaching young people to be responsible for their behaviour is as vital as teaching them geometry. In fact, it will probably be of greater significance. In their higher education, careers, relationships, and homes, understanding the connection between actions and consequences is absolutely necessary to making good adjustments.

Responsibility is learned early in the classroom experience. Failure to study for the test, a missed assignment deadline, tardiness -- these are life lessons for the student. And students must know that a consequence follows their action (or inaction).

Make allowance for poor performance, and you have done a great disservice to your students. Allow them to give an account for their actions, and you have given them a helpful nudge out of the nest into the real world.

Connect actions with consequences.

After the fire, ashes; after the rain, roses. ~ Moroccan Proverb