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Have you ever wondered why people are becoming less and less enthusiastic with everything? Why is it getting harder and harder to motivate people, employees, customers and business associates?
Well, there's no correct answer to this, but a diagnosis of certain developments over the years can help explain what has contributed to what I call, "Motivation Stagnation".
Abraham Maslow, described in his hierarchy of needs, the fundamentals of what motivates human beings. It's important to note that this theory was first introduced in the early 1940's when the entire world was still experiencing the effects of the second world war, jobs were scarce, money was difficult to come by, food was rationed and people were feeling frightened and insecure.
Maslow used a pyramid diagram to demonstrate how the largest and most essential human motivators are the most basic needs; food, water, shelter, and the last level - self actualization, the desire for self fulfillment. This is the smallest section of the pyramid, as 70 years ago, it was considered difficult to get to this level, i.e. where people have all they need in life and are finally able to be happy with what they have achieved and no longer yearn for anything in order to survive.
2010, and Maslow's pyramid, should now be viewed "upside down". Basic needs are the smallest of the needs, and self actualization the largest. Human beings are striving for self fulfillment and can't find it. We are living in a world where even though everything is so much easier, our original instincts have been inhibited.
Einstein once said "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."
It's by no way a coincidence that the easier things get, the harder it is to motivate or be motivated. So put away the carrot and the stick, they're no longer attractive or feared!
Think about it!
Well, there's no correct answer to this, but a diagnosis of certain developments over the years can help explain what has contributed to what I call, "Motivation Stagnation".
Abraham Maslow, described in his hierarchy of needs, the fundamentals of what motivates human beings. It's important to note that this theory was first introduced in the early 1940's when the entire world was still experiencing the effects of the second world war, jobs were scarce, money was difficult to come by, food was rationed and people were feeling frightened and insecure.
Maslow used a pyramid diagram to demonstrate how the largest and most essential human motivators are the most basic needs; food, water, shelter, and the last level - self actualization, the desire for self fulfillment. This is the smallest section of the pyramid, as 70 years ago, it was considered difficult to get to this level, i.e. where people have all they need in life and are finally able to be happy with what they have achieved and no longer yearn for anything in order to survive.
2010, and Maslow's pyramid, should now be viewed "upside down". Basic needs are the smallest of the needs, and self actualization the largest. Human beings are striving for self fulfillment and can't find it. We are living in a world where even though everything is so much easier, our original instincts have been inhibited.
Einstein once said "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."
It's by no way a coincidence that the easier things get, the harder it is to motivate or be motivated. So put away the carrot and the stick, they're no longer attractive or feared!
Think about it!
Debbie Phylactou
Human Resource Management and Marketing Specialist
Lecturer CIM
Specialist Consultant
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