By David McNally 

Anyone who has ever been a manager, coach, parent or has held any other
responsibility that involved leading others has come across individuals
with enormous potential but who lack what we call - motivation. On the 
other hand we have also marveled at those who have a desire so strong 
that ‘ordinary’ abilities are transformed into extraordinary achievements.
How do we solve this mystery of motivation? During my twenty-five years
of working in the field of personal growth and development I have 
developed some rules that appear to hold true in almost every situation.

Rule One: Motivation is entirely an inside job. I am often categorized 
as a ‘motivational speaker.’  What I am about to admit may destroy my 
career in one sentence but, quite frankly, I don’t have the power to 
motivate others. My only comfort is that I know neither does anyone else.
I can endeavor to offer stimulating ideas in a dynamic, entertaining way,
but a person’s response is completely beyond my control. As a parent, for
example, I’ve learned that my children are often motivated to do absolutely
nothing despite my threatening them with dire consequences. Martyrs are
people who cannot be motivated to change their views even under extreme
torture. To be moved to any kind of action (i.e.; motivation) is, therefore,
a decision that comes solely from within the individual.

Rule Two: Motivation requires a meaningful ‘motive.’  For many Olympians
a medal is clearly their meaningful motive. For some Olympians, however,
the opportunity just to participate in the games is enough to dedicate 
themselves to years of disciplined, rigorous training. What is meaningful
differs from person to person and circumstance to circumstance. My parents,
who were working class yet ambitious people, immigrated to Australia from
England for greater opportunities and better weather. Their dreams in 
retrospect were quite modest, but the desire to attain them led my parents
to ‘move’ half way around the world. Getting motivated begins first and 
foremost with being willing to dig deep into the truth of what we want for
our lives even though we may have no idea of how what we want will be 
attained.

Rule Three: Motivation is propelled by faith or fear: Fear is a powerful
motivator and a highly appropriate response to threatening circumstances. 
But, to wake up every morning fearful and having fear as the ‘motivator’ 
of our actions is debilitating, highly stressful and, ultimately, soul 
destroying. Faith is the belief that what you aspire to, what you desire
for your life is, somehow, attainable. Moving forward in faith, however, 
takes courage because the size of our dreams is usually matched by the
size of the obstacles we shall have to overcome. So, as always, we are 
left with a choice: between being motivated by fear that stifles
imagination and leads to stagnation, or motivated by faith that frees us 
from limitations and leads to great expectations.

Rule Four: Motivation is influenced by environment: One of my friends was
brought up in a home where his father was an abusive alcoholic. The father
was a sad, lonely man when he died. My friend decided that his life would
be the opposite. His home environment ‘motivated’ him toward being successful
both personally and professionally which he eventually achieved. Too many 
organizations fail to realize, in terms of motivation, the effect of the 
environment in which their people work. Although people obviously work for 
money, the workplace can provide a powerful sense of community. A workplace 
that is inviting, that reflects cleanliness, projects friendliness yet clearly 
demonstrates that results matter, is an environment that promotes the desire 
to do good work. Add to that equation a community that values and acknowledges 
the contribution of all of its members and you have the potential for a 
level of motivation that most organizations only fantasize about.

Rule Five: Motivation is not Inspiration: As mentioned in rule number one, 
a person can be motivated to do nothing. Outstanding people are well motivated 
but so are outstanding crooks. You cannot be inspired to do nothing or to 
become a crook. Inspiration is all positive as it means the human spirit, 
the absolute best part of who we are, has been ‘moved’ or called to action. 
This is best understood in the context that the most powerful motivator in 
the world is a cause. The true hero is one who is seen to have been courageous 
while serving a worthy cause. For most of us we become inspired when we 
discover the ‘cause’ in what we do. In other words, the purpose that our work 
serves. Then we feel that our work matters and is of value. This adds meaning 
to our lives and helps us access what humankind has, throughout history, found 
to be the most compelling, satisfying and inspiring reason for getting up in 
the morning - the knowledge that we play an important part in making the world 
a better place in which to live. 

David McNally has enjoyed an international business career which has included 
assignments in South Africa, Europe and the South Pacific. He is now the 
president of Trans-Form Corporation whose mission is to provide people with 
the knowledge, skills and inspiration to perform at their best. David is the
author of the best-selling book, EVEN EAGLES NEED A PUSH-Learning to Soar in 
a Changing World. ‘Even Eagles’ has been translated into five different 
languages and made into a film that has been released in over twenty 
countries. David has now released a new book, THE EAGLE’S SECRET-Success 
Strategies for Thriving at Work and in Life.

“If life is to be more than mere existence, if we are to move from survivor to 
thriver, it will not be through chance or good luck,” says David, “it will be because
we purposefully sought to understand and learn about what, with ever increasing 
momentum, is transforming the world around us.”

You can e-mail David at David@davidmcnally.com or visit his website at 
http://www.davidmcnally.com or call 952-930-9208.

www.davidmcnally.com