This question has been revolving in my head for some time now... What motivates us to achieve something? What drives us to push ourselves forward and get something we wanted? Do we all have that drive, or are just some of us unnecessarily chasing dreams and pushing ourselves too hard? Because when one dream is fulfilled, the human mind turns to fulfill another, almost never happy with the current state of things..
What is the reason why we want to change our present and look to another future? It's not necessarily unhappiness or dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs... people can be motivated and determined to 'do something' simply (or not so simply) as an ego boost, or if they felt that they had to prove something to others.. or it could be because of money... yes, I believe for many people money is a big motivation, although I personally know of only one person who desires money enough to have no life at all and work almost 20 hours a day! He does earn more than $500,000 and he's just 32, so I guess I don't blame him! But I don't know if I could ever do that...
Me, I'm a true Scorpio... power and position motivates me... I find it sexy. On a man and a woman. And I don't mean it in the way politicians and bureaucrats have it or use it, but as being the person in charge. That gives me a high. To be in control, that makes me want to do things. And credit. Aaah! Am such a sucker for being given the credit for the work I do. I feel instantly charged when someone gives me credit for the work I have accomplished, and feel highly deflated when I don't get recognized. This I believe is normal, atleast it should be!
But someone told me something yesterday, that jarred in my brain. It was their opinion of why I am so determined to achieve certain things in life, of why I push myself harder than I need to - and unfortunately - it was true. And it's been on my mind since that moment. And surprisingly, I don't feel guilty about it. I think I may have accepted some things about myself.
So what motivates you, if at all? Is it money? Is it a need to provide for your loved ones? Is it a need to fulfill what others expect of you, or atleast what you think they expect of you? Is it the desire to be looked up to or envied by others around you? Would you even feel happy if someone envied you?!
What makes you strive for something, whether it be for better or worse?
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34 comments:
another of those classics that bring me back to your blog!! keep going..
You strike the chord again..
I ve thought so much on this..
Thought of all those reason you have asked here..
but never came up with a convincing one!
I gotta think on it again!
I think in the end it is sort of funny to really find out why we chase that elusive something thinking it is going to give us that immense satisfaction. it reminds me of LP's song which clearly says what you say. You know. to me it is the money for the time though i would never sell myself to work like 20 hours. I used to but I learnt that now so it is more controlled. :-)
But it is worth thinkign again what makes us tick at work !
I think that too. I think for me its wanting to better myself, and not letting people I care about down.
Two wives!
`maitreya
lol! good to hear that! keep coming back!
`standbymind
some food for thought eh!
`gangsta markiv
again it depends on how motivated you are by only money and not what you can do with the money! sometimes the question goes beyond work too - like big house, snazzy car, promotion etc etc... !
`niyara
yeah thats a big pressure on people - to not let down people's expectations... that can be one of the biggest "motivators", but I don't think it's a good one! but wanting to better yourself and reach your potential is great!
`apoo
you should change your blogger name to 'still dreaming' hehehe:P
In my case... I want to earn that much money that my family won't have to consider the cost. If they want something, I should have the money for that.
As simple as that. :)
Success gives me a high - anywhere, everywhere. I hate mediocrity. And that's what spurs me on to raise the bar and try to be successful at anything I take up. It could be work, and being successful there means I get to make more money, but that's not all. If I take up a diet, and excercise regimen, I want to succeed there. If I decide to look hot, I want to achieve that too. If I'm trying a new dish, I want to make sure it's super-delicious. That's what keeps me going! Even in relationships, I guess, I'm a little like that. If I like somebody, I want that person to like me back though I wouldn't change myself to achieve that.
i think the same things as u....and good food :D
more seriously, since exactly what makes u tick makes me tick, how about sharing what this person had to say why it makes you tick?
i know competition drives some people, glamour drives some....i wonder what drives us??
I really wanna know that person told you! Sorry for being so curious :D
As for me .. I'm kinda in a very different place right now where I'm looking for motivation... nothing really motivates/inspires me right now ... other than my monthly rent and credit card bills :P otherwise I wouldn't even do as much as I do right now :P
I guess that why I'm kinda drifting at the moment :) lookin for something to work towards ... nothing is quite appealing enough right now ...
Yea mate, I agree with ya. Those spacious dream house spread over acres and acres. How about that? My friend in Belgium says her house is on 30 acres which she is building every now and then. That would be my aspiration.. something I yearn for. Then I like the snazzy cars, the busty babes, the dough to go all over, go vacationing across the world. Sigh ! wonder how I would accomplish everything.
Will you adopt me?
Very pertinent question! I am curious as to what that person said to you...hmm...
Me, I'm a true Scorpio... power and position motivates me... I find it sexy - As I'm also a typical Scorp, the same holds good for me as well.
I'm sure its not money that motivates beyond a point.. I guess ur feel happy interms of money as soon as u feel u dnt hv to think too much abt spendg for regular ones.. Atleast this is true for me.
But I guess proving a point to someone influences to some extent... "All teasings/insults/questions on ur ability from various ppl" plays a role.
Also u reach a point where ur self respect (If its beyond control.. I wud call it Ego) wanna achieve it for ur own satisfaction.
You wonder what motivates you. I wonder why nothing motivates me.
Comfortably numb in my slumber.
So, anything that motivates you to do something is a good thing.
Written well.
back biting by your team members is a demotivating factor..
powerful writing. kudos!
for me, it's the fame, the need to be recognized and of course the power that provide that drive. the very word power gives me a high. guess it does for many other people.
Thats a thought provoking blog! Well, acceptance is one, happiness is another, the absence of 'unsuitable' behaviour at office is a third, security and fun times makes me stick with my partner (and the unmentionable vital reasons to stick to one person of course!).... Why we chase a dream is because it is impossible to live without the 'pursuit of happyness' :)
food for thought..
personally each of us when we start working have ambitions of owning a home ..a vehicle..and such goals..Some people push themselves hard to acheive these goals asap...and get frustrated if it get stuck somewhere..others let it take its own sweet time and enjoying life in its normal pace..I guess it is ideally better to live the second way..things will fall in place eventually..why hurry!! am cancerian btw..;-P
`adarsh
yes, providing for your family can be a big motivator... and an honorable reason too! :))
`d
OMG! you sound like another version of me!! i'm just like that, and sometimes i push myself too hard and take myself too seriously because of this! dont know if you've experienced the same thing though.. btw, u sound like a scorp too! lol!
`zee
i would fnd it very hard to believe that what that person told me would stand good for you too, but what she said was that i am so motivated and determined because i want to prove (to myself) my self-worth... but i doubt that holds true for you though, atleast what i know of you!
`nutty
lol! yes that happens too, its all cyclical i think... but many times its more than just dissatisfaction that makes us want more... and since u're so curious, pls see my reply to zee's comment to see what that person told me :)
`markiv
i dont have a huge house, am not interested in busty women, and dont have a snazzy car :(( still want to be adopted?!
`chaits
see above for what that person told me.. and did u get my email?!??!!! pls tell me u read it!!
`cm-chap
u hit the nail on the head! self-worth/self-respect, esp for scorps! it can drive us to a huge extent, though i'm not sure if thats good or bad! lol
`equi
lol! thats ok, like i said earlier to nutty, who has written something similar to you, that its all cyclical really... thanks
`chriz
appreciation from team members and manager is a motivator :)
`nithya
totally! i'm a sucker for status and power!
`cuckoo
well said lady, well said!! :)
`mathew
i wonder why they say cancerians and scorps are supp to be a great match!! lol!
I think what that person told you kind of applies to me. I want to do things to prove a point to myself.
One word. Growth. We want to grow. All of us. In whichever sense that may be. Monetarily, Status wise, Emotionally we're always looking at the next step because what is life without the next thing?
If you go into the philosophy of what is the purpose of life, you don't get satisfactory answers.
You have to create a purpose to give meaning to life. And that is what we do. It's more than a want, it's a need girl. Don't you agree?
Thats what ticks me. Not money so much as knowledge, power, experience, the what lies beyond this question and being utterly stubborn, foolish, determined to get whatever the hell it is I want. My curiosity is what ticks me. Money plays a part no doubt about it. Its our first need in todays world and depending on how materialistic you are or you get yes its a big motivator.
Nice blog. Can totally identify with your power and recognition need being a scorp myself. Rock on.
u've been tagged :)
ya man...i'm too lazy to be determined
Maybe not knowing what it is keeps the motivation going.
Well most of the things you said apply to me too...whats the verdict on Sagis??
i think money to me s a big motivation.. i should be in a position that i dont ve to think twice before buying any thing that is necessary...
Wassup? No updates...
ur tagged.. chk my blog
I like the post :) makes me think...
I often wonder what drives me ....
Power ? Success? Sense of accomplishment/satisfaction ? Money ?
Growth ? Feeling of recognition ? Control over life ? ............... Nah....never just one of them !! Mostly , i think , its a combination of a lot of things , aimed at achieving that elusive thing called HAPPINESS .
You missed a whole month... unusual.. are you in India?
simply put..for me its being able to provide anything to my family without the consideration of the cost..i mean without bordering on spendthrift.. who cares about anybody else....
neways it a nice read... have written something similar at: prateekrawat.blogspot.com
Have a look...
You must be super busy!
Okay, there are two things, reason and goals. Goals are short term-, irrespective of the time it requires to attain-, which most people keep running after. Reason on the other hand is a tough nut to crack as most people don't even know the reason for their existence. They live their life running after goals and die without even trying to find the reason for their existence.
What drives me is the reason that I exist for. At the same time I keep on making goals that I need to achieve every year or in 5 years or even in 10 years. Money, power, position everything comes attached with success. But, you need to know what you want before you get it.
where have u disappeared dahling?
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