The final instalment in a series of three blogs about three qualities Result CIC can help you foster and develop: Resilience - Confidence - Motivation.

Garth Bardsley explores its many aspects. 

Back in the 1980s, my singing teacher – the celebrated English baritone, John Carol Case – advised me that there are usually only three reasons that might motivate one to accept a singing contract: the people, the role, and the money. He continued that there is a direct link between how many of the three elements a job might offer with how much one might enjoy the experience. So, if the role is desirable, the company brilliant but the remuneration poor, the chances are the job may still be a valuable and worthwhile experience. Likewise, if the opera company is not that respected but the role is one you have wanted to learn for a long time and moreover, the money is fantastic, again, this is probably a recipe for a very positive experience. However, even if the money is wonderful but the company and role are lousy, then the chances of this being an opportunity that will bring you joy are… pretty slim. 

• Three out of three = bliss (like hens’ teeth, such opportunities are rare) 
• Two out of three = positive (I’d like to think that this is the norm) 
• One out of three = likely to be a less than happy outcome (believe me ‘take the money’ is rarely sufficient an ideology to make such a gig bearable for long). 

Of course, it can happen that the initial motivating factors in deciding to accept an offer can turn out to be quite different when you actually begin the work – sometimes for the better, sometimes for the considerably worse!

External vs. internal motivation
There are many other motivational aspects that get us up and out, some of which are almost involuntary. Falling in love (or lust) for example can lead to all sorts of habit-changing behaviour (mostly good, hopefully). Looking for promotion, wanting to improve our skills, saving for a holiday or to buy a home, wanting to become fitter, seeking out therapy or coaching to find some answers and solutions – all have the power to motivate us to act.

External forces also often motivate change or action. Sudden fortune or tragedy, a life-altering injury, or more positively a life-changing event like becoming a parent can kickstart personal motivation into overdrive. Negative influences such as greed, access to power, malign political agendas, and a desire to control others have and always will motivate some people’s actions and decision-making usually at great cost to the rest of us.

Then there are such things as hobbies, passions, interests and obsessions – from popstars to puppies, painting to planting - people, places and things that grab our attention again and again and make us want to delve deeper, practise harder, invest every spare moment we have into learning more and becoming wiser, healthier, more proficient, and we would like to think, more interesting individuals.

But what can we do when we lack any sense of motivation whatsoever? Where do we find the incentives to do what we have to do or even want to do, if none seem apparent? What is it that allows us to fulfil a promise, complete work that we have put off for far too long or perhaps, to have that awkward conversation. Looming deadlines and financial recompense certainly help but I think there is something else that is available to us all but is often missing through lack of confidence, awareness or indeed, practice.

The role of self-care
Self-care is a truly wonderful motivating force once you have recognised the need and the benefits it can bring - not only to yourself but also to others around you. Once you have discovered the ways to care for yourself - by setting boundaries, learning to prioritise, evaluating the pros and cons, being clear about your needs, and of understanding your true worth - then you may find that you are motivated to want to maintain that self-care which in turn motivates you to act accordingly.

In a world where we can so often be the playthings of Human Resources departments, self-care is essential. The very title, ‘human resources’ should make one shudder. After all, what does one do with a ‘resource’ other than mine it for everything it can give until, too often, it is exhausted and no longer of use. People telling us what to do is rarely motivating but if we feel that we are serving a greater good, working in a considerate and nurturing environment, and our contribution is recognised, then it is very likely indeed that we will be motivated to offer the very best we can.

Altruism and motivation
Does all motivation need some sort of reward? Is it the promise of the end goal that motivates us from the start? Most of the time, certainly; we start out on any journey with the intention of arriving at a destination. But we humans are complex creatures and there is in each of us I believe, an innate drive, a need even, that motivates us to do good, so often with no obvious reward or personal gain whatsoever other than a feel-good moment or perhaps a hint of acceptable pride.

What is that? And is it nature or nurture?
I have no idea but would guess that the instinct that motivates us to be generous, kind, considerate, altruistic and humane needs to be both encouraged by, and learned from the actions and examples of those around us as we grow up. It may be that what motivates us is a hope or even expectation that if we ourselves behave with the good of others in mind, then that will motivate our fellow travellers to do the same.

I may have missed out other aspects of motivation so I encourage you to reflect on what motivates you, consider how you might cultivate self-care and ultimately to pursue your passions. Through coaching, the skills learned\ and awareness gained help develop resilience, confidence and motivation. This is never a one size fits all, for each journey is unique and each of us has the capability within to become the person we wish to be. At Result we have the expertise, experience and knowledge to be able to help individuals discover how to self-motivate as well as encourage others; realising your potential is what motivates us.

We are what we do and we love what we do.