Motivation Theories

The relevance of theories of motivation outside north america

Motivation:

Motivations are the desires that spur us to better or worsen our situation. Some examples:

• I want to be happier

• I need to get better organized

• I need to spend more time with my family

• I want to be a better person

A motivation alone is a great deal of sound and fury that amounts to nothing, but it’s enough to get us started. People who start a diet or exercise program are motivated: They want to lose weight or be healthy. But what happens when that motivation is gone and they haven’t built any self-discipline on top of that motivation? They fall of their diet, stop going to the gym, and gain back the three pounds that they just lost.

Motivation Vs Values:

On the other hand, Values are the basis for ALL motivation. How can you put time or energy into anything you don’t value unless someone is standing over you with a Kalashnikov, which is another kind of motivation altogether?

Values are subjective and they spring forth from the person who is doing the valuing. But Principles are Objective and exist whether we value them or not.You can change values, but you can not change Principles. You can conform to Principles, you can try to resist Principles, you can ignore a principle, you can even be ignorant of a principle - but in spite of your attitude (positive or negative) concerning a Principle - that Principle still exists.

Not so with values. If you are ignorant of a value that value ceases to exist. If you oppose a value - then it becomes