Is there someone in your workplace who isn’t pulling their weight?
Or how about at home?
Do you know a couch surfer – or someone who’d rather operate the remote than wash the dishes?
Let’s face it – we’ve all known an unmotivated person at one time or another – and if we’re honest, we’ve all probably felt unmotivated at one point in our life.
So whether you are feeling unmotivated at this moment – or are looking to motivate someone who seems unmotivated, the question becomes – how do you motivate an unmotivated person?
Well, let’s start with some good and bad news.
The BAD news is that you can’t change anyone – or magically make them motivated. For change to happen (in anyone), they must first be willing to change. No matter what you do, you cannot motivate an unmotivated person unless they are willing to change and become motivated.
However, that leads to the good news.
As John Maxwell says, the GOOD news is that you can “work to create an environment and culture where motivation is valued and rewarded.”
I’ll say that again — you can create an environment where motivation is valued and rewarded.
How do you do that?
Great question! Let's lean into wisdom from John Maxwell’s book Good Leaders Ask Great Questions to answer it.
There, Maxwell describes three simple ways to create an environment and culture that values motivation.
Get personally motivated. Start with you. Creating a culture of motivation begins with the person in the mirror. Are you motivated? Do you desire to become more motivated? What can you do today to boost your own level of motivation? As you grow personally motivated, you also inspire others to become motivated. That’s why the old weight loss advertisements showing a slimmed-down person standing in their old, larger clothes were effective. Motivation attracts motivation. When you see someone taking action and getting results, you see that true change is possible – and you become motivated to make change as well. Demonstrate motivation, and you’ll see that motivated people will gravitate toward you.
Understand the connection between relationships and motivation. People are more likely to become motivated when they know they are loved and cared for. Everyone wants to be treated with dignity and respect – they want to know they matter. And when you treat people with these foundational human qualities, they are more likely to respect and follow your lead. And the opposite is true as well. Suppose you are demeaning and condescending; good luck motivating an unmotivated person. One great step toward building an environment and culture of motivation is to start by making connections and fostering great relationships. Show others you care, value them, and desire to see them grow into their full potential. You may be surprised at how motivating this is!
Reward what you want done. Maxwell says, “If you want to create an environment where people are motivated, give them reasons to get things done.” We always do this all the time with our kids and pets – because we know that rewards can be a powerful motivator. Have you considered rewarding motivation in your home or workplace? Do you celebrate when someone takes the initiative? When a small step is taken toward motivation, recognize it. If you catch someone going the extra mile to make a project happen, celebrate it. Let no good deed go unnoticed or uncelebrated. Consider creating an incentive program around motivation – even if it is as simple as a thank you card or a $5 gift card for coffee. A little incentivizing can go a long way toward creating a culture and environment that values motivation.
If you’re serious about creating an environment and culture of motivation and high performance, these are great places to start.
Remember, motivation first begins with you.
Set a goal. Take a step. And then share your progress with someone.
You’ll kindle your own motivational fire – and maybe even warm a few others up along the way as well.
For your growth,
Bill
