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Jozrael · 11-24-2008, 08:27 PM

We all know highly motivated people. They're likely to be some of the most successful people around - each defining it in their own way. Someone may be highly motivated towards achieving a 'subprime' position in life dictated by normal societal views, but that's their prerogative. Likewise, we all know those who are less than motivated.

I would like to discuss the source of motivation, largely as a sieve for insight in relation to my recent blog post of like name. Case study: my family. The following is my personal experiences on the matter and not the subject of this thread, though you can certainly comment on it as much as you like (point being I'd like you to bring up your experiences as well).

I am the eldest, with a sister two years my junior and a brother five. Of us three, my sister is by far and away the most motivated. In fact, I would place her on the top 15 list of most motivated people I have ever met (and that is considerable praise). My brother and I are less so motivated. Now let us turn to our childhoods.

My mother was the dominant figure in our household, and she pushed us very hard. Since I am only one mind I can only speak for myself, but by and large she pushed my sister and I in a similar manner. Being the baby and having more experience under her belt my brother was given far more leeway.

Despite these fairly similar outer forces, my sister and I grew up very similarly until high school. We were highly motivated, but personally my motivation was largely external. I would've been fairly content playing computer games all day had my mother not been there over me, guiding, nudging, and at times cattle prodding. My sister I believe drew her motivation more and more from within over the years.

As I entered my rebellious teenage years, my mother's influence over me waned, and thus did my motivating force. My sister went through the same period but with little to no effect on her motivational drive. My brother is currently going through the same period and it's really too early to call the jury in.

I'm currently searching on building my own personal form of motivation, but I was wondering where the source of it really lies within each of us.

11-24-2008, 08:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jozrael Junkie	An inner font of motivation We all know highly motivated people. They're likely to be some of the most successful people around - each defining it in their own way. Someone may be highly motivated towards achieving a 'subprime' position in life dictated by normal societal views, but that's their prerogative. Likewise, we all know those who are less than motivated. I would like to discuss the source of motivation, largely as a sieve for insight in relation to my recent blog post of like name. Case study: my family. The following is my personal experiences on the matter and not the subject of this thread, though you can certainly comment on it as much as you like (point being I'd like you to bring up your experiences as well). I am the eldest, with a sister two years my junior and a brother five. Of us three, my sister is by far and away the most motivated. In fact, I would place her on the top 15 list of most motivated people I have ever met (and that is considerable praise). My brother and I are less so motivated. Now let us turn to our childhoods. My mother was the dominant figure in our household, and she pushed us very hard. Since I am only one mind I can only speak for myself, but by and large she pushed my sister and I in a similar manner. Being the baby and having more experience under her belt my brother was given far more leeway. Despite these fairly similar outer forces, my sister and I grew up very similarly until high school. We were highly motivated, but personally my motivation was largely external. I would've been fairly content playing computer games all day had my mother not been there over me, guiding, nudging, and at times cattle prodding. My sister I believe drew her motivation more and more from within over the years. As I entered my rebellious teenage years, my mother's influence over me waned, and thus did my motivating force. My sister went through the same period but with little to no effect on her motivational drive. My brother is currently going through the same period and it's really too early to call the jury in. I'm currently searching on building my own personal form of motivation, but I was wondering where the source of it really lies within each of us.