Human Resources
Performance
Motivation is defined as the process that starts, directs and maintains goal-oriented actions. Motivation is what causes a person to act. It entails the biological, emotional, social and cognitive forces that set off behavior. In everyday practice, the term is often used to portray why a person does something. Different kinds of motivation are frequently described as being either extrinsic or intrinsic. Extrinsic motivations are those actions that arise from outside of the individual and frequently involve rewards such as prizes, money, social acknowledgment or praise. Intrinsic motivations are those that take place from within a person, such as doing something very complicated just for the personal gratification of accomplishing it (Cherry, 2011).
What motivates people differs from person to person. According to Goleman (2000) there are three motivational competencies that drive people to do things. The first is an achievement drive. This is the process of working to improve or meet a standard of excellence. The second is commitment. This has to do with a person embracing a vision or a set of goals. The third is initiative and optimism. These ideas set in motion people to seize opportunities and permit them to take setbacks and obstacles in stride.
In order for a person to be motivated they must possess all of these competencies. I feel that I am a very motivated person and when looking at myself in comparison to these competencies I find that I possess a lot of the attributes that make up each one. A person who has achievement drive is very results oriented. They set challenging goals for themselves and learn how to advance their own performance (Goleman, 2000). I enjoy setting challenges for myself and seeing if I can accomplish what I have set out to do.
A person who is committed does not mind making sacrifices along the way. They find and sense of purpose in the larger goal and actively seek out opportunities to fulfill the overall mission. Commitment is very emotional. A committed person must be value both their personal goals and the goals of the organization as well (Goleman, 2000). Once I put my mind to doing something I find that I am totally committed to do it. I have learned that if I am not totally committed, not only does it make whatever I am doing very annoying, it often does not turn out well in the end.
A person who possesses initiative and optimism is always ready to seize opportunities that present themselves. These people pursue goals beyond what is expected or them and are always utilizing unusual and enterprising effort to accomplish things (Goleman, 2000). People who possess initiative have the drive to want to make things happen. These people almost always have optimism at the same time which allows them to believe that they can make whatever they want to happen. I find myself always wanting to get things done but not always having the optimism to follow through.
You’re 74% through this paper. Sign up to read the full paper.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.