Yesterday my boss was annoyed and complaining about one of our independent contractors, who is supposed to be on retainer for us, and was nowhere to be found when we desperately need them. My boss was yelling around the office, "[The contractor] is going to have a rude awakening when they send us their next invoice. [The contractor] clearly isn't motivated by money. I don't know how to deal with someone who is not motivated by money."

It's been obvious to me for months that the boss' m.o. is to throw money at "problems" until they're "fixed;" which, clearly, is not working in this situation.

It made me think about what motivates people though. I would also consider myself someone who is not (primarily) motivated by money. Of course I need to be able to pay my bills, but that is not what would motivate me to do well in my job.

What motivates you?

doing what i truly love to do is what motivates me, helping others gives me joy.

Doing something I enjoy, doing something I know I can do well, doing something with/for people I like, learning something new…

I certainly need money to live, but I stay in the job I have (and look for new jobs) for all of the above reasons.

In my case, I'm not doing what I love to do, but it does fulfill me and challenges me to work hard. I like my department and my supervisor and boss allows me to add my input in situations in which I feel like I'm a valuable addition to the department. The money could be a bit better, but I'm headed there, because they also allow me to attend conferences and classes that will allow me to grow further in my career. So I guess in essence, what motivates me is allowing me to be free to grow and have a voice.

i'm contrary. once someone tells me i *can't* do something, i show them i can. other factors motivate me as well. like, wanting to accomplish something.

i am my greatest motivator.

in the past i was motivated by people places and things

and all the time i thought that things were as they should

be, AND THEY WERE for me. now my motivations are

inclusive of others... and i'm happier now

DEADLINES.

I really, really need a fixed deadline to motivate me.

appreciation

missfee said:

In my case, I'm not doing what I love to do, but it does fulfill me and challenges me to work hard. I like my department and my supervisor and boss allows me to add my input in situations in which I feel like I'm a valuable addition to the department. The money could be a bit better, but I'm headed there, because they also allow me to attend conferences and classes that will allow me to grow further in my career. So I guess in essence, what motivates me is allowing me to be free to grow and have a voice.

I can deal with this. Ideally, I'd like a job that I love, but I'd settle for one where I at least feel respected and valued. I applied for a job at this place and over the past two years they have completely changed what I do and I HATE it. They didn't discuss it with me, I was basically told to do it and they paid me more. But then I did it and they told me they couldn't pay me extra. I was like, : and told them I would at least need extra paid vacation if they weren't willing to continue to compensate me monetarily (as they had set a precedent of doing so). I got a raise (of course, b/c my boss thinks money should motivate everyone!) which I didn't want. What I wanted was to not have to do a job I didn't apply for and am not good at. I do the best I can with the new stuff, but instead of saying he realizes I am not trained to do it; the boss huffs and pouts and throws a tantrum when it is not what he wants. It's very frustrating and definitely DOES NOT motivate me to try to do better.

.

[Edited 3/21/12 11:18am]

CarrieMpls said:

Doing something I enjoy, doing something I know I can do well, doing something with/for people I like, learning something new…

I certainly need money to live, but I stay in the job I have (and look for new jobs) for all of the above reasons.

This is what motivates me with my museum tour guide gig. I don't get paid for it; but I love doing it, I am good at it, and with each new exhibition I learn new things. And my supervisor says, "Thank you."

Once upon a time, this was my dream job. It had everything - a decent salary and bonus (plus regular bumps and spot bonuses), good perks, interesting and fun work, plenty of autonomy.

For the last 8 years or so (I've been here as a writer for 15, with the company for 20), it's been a lot tougher. The corporate model/philosophy took a dive (we were bought by a much larger corporation) and we've struggled harder to make the new company's plan for us - which means the salary bumps and bonuses have been tougher to achieve.

And frankly, the creative department (which once ruled - we were founded by a copywriter) has borne the brunt of it. We've become the red-headed stepchildren of the place, which has been very hard to swallow.

We have a (mostly) new leadership team now, though - and are hoping that things are going to turn in our favor. But nobody's getting too excited - we've had our few glimmers of hope dashed repeatedly.

We'd all like to get back to what motivated us before - interesting work (concepting as well as production work), feeling like our contributions are valued (instead of being the company whipping boy) and a measure of autonomy (including being allowed some inspiration field trips and offsite workdays).

Happy employees produce great work - and the financial rewards follow. I'm doing okay financially - I'd just like to have some fun again.

jone70 said:

missfee said:

In my case, I'm not doing what I love to do, but it does fulfill me and challenges me to work hard. I like my department and my supervisor and boss allows me to add my input in situations in which I feel like I'm a valuable addition to the department. The money could be a bit better, but I'm headed there, because they also allow me to attend conferences and classes that will allow me to grow further in my career. So I guess in essence, what motivates me is allowing me to be free to grow and have a voice.

I can deal with this. Ideally, I'd like a job that I love, but I'd settle for one where I at least feel respected and valued. I applied for a job at this place and over the past two years they have completely changed what I do and I HATE it. They didn't discuss it with me, I was basically told to do it and they paid me more. But then I did it and they told me they couldn't pay me extra. I was like, : and told them I would at least need extra paid vacation if they weren't willing to continue to compensate me monetarily (as they had set a precedent of doing so). I got a raise (of course, b/c my boss thinks money should motivate everyone!) which I didn't want. What I wanted was to not have to do a job I didn't apply for and am not good at. I do the best I can with the new stuff, but instead of saying he realizes I am not trained to do it; the boss huffs and pouts and throws a tantrum when it is not what he wants. It's very frustrating and definitely DOES NOT motivate me to try to do better.

.

[Edited 3/21/12 11:18am]

Goodness. Sorry you are experiencing that. It's miserable when you aren't motivated. I know because I've been there in my previous department. It was awful. No appreciation, no opportunities to help you grow and when you asked about it the answer was always "we'll check on it and let you know" but never received an answer back. And don't even begin to think about asking for a raise because you definitely weren't getting it, whether or not you were good at the work or not. Management based their increases on their "favorites". I remember that was the first job where I called in sick just because I didn't want to go in. It took me a year and 4 months to finally get out of that situation and I ended up in the department I'm in now, which was no picnic when I first got here due to high employee turnover and back log cleanup that seemed like it would take years to complete (I have a financial administrative role), however, after the powers who be sent in a lady from the head office, who was there to "clean out the dead weight", I was invited to be included on the interview panel when the dept. was hiring people who would help turn the department around in the right direction. I learned as much as I could during this phase even though my workload was more stressful than ever, which earned me a promotion, a moderate salary increase and a few spot bonuses. But since we were able to FINALLY hire some good people (as I mentioned earlier) my workload is now manageable and I'm able to take the initiative and learn other aspects of my position which will take me further.

[Edited 3/21/12 12:22pm]

pussy

challenges and promises

SoLiDiFy said:

pussy

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh,

i better start gettin some

or i'll loose my serenity

The promise of getting some dick afterwards.

To feel and know that I am respected and valued as a coworker motivates me. I too have to take on a job at work that doesn't excite me at all. But I do it because I'm a part of a team. Although there is an end to my takeover job. The person I replaced broke their foot and will be out for a month or two.

It really comes done to work environment and the tone the boss sets.

(Although, I like my job, I want to work with Genesia. I want to eat really loud food and pass gas freely. Apparently that is a job requirement for Genesia's coworkers! LOL Genesia!)

The chicks don't dig unemployed guys.

I dunno....
the fact that my work will eventually lead an entire worldwide community out of sin, I guess.
That's what makes my fat hairy ass get outta bed every morning.
Though, TBH, if getting some pussy was an added bonus, then maybe I wouldn't grumble as many obscenities at the alarm clock every time the goddamn thing went off.

Generally speaking, two things: money and the possibility of self-realisation. Money in itself is not that important and doesn't make me happy, but self-realisation I find very fulfilling indeed and money certainly helps overcoming small obstacles on your way to self-realisation.

novabrkr said:

The chicks don't dig unemployed guys.

No, we don't.

novabrkr said:

The chicks don't dig unemployed guys.

We sure don't.

jone70 said:

CarrieMpls said:

Doing something I enjoy, doing something I know I can do well, doing something with/for people I like, learning something new…

I certainly need money to live, but I stay in the job I have (and look for new jobs) for all of the above reasons.

This is what motivates me with my museum tour guide gig. I don't get paid for it; but I love doing it, I am good at it, and with each new exhibition I learn new things. And my supervisor says, "Thank you."

I should add - I'm not passionate about my work. I don't feel a great connection to it and despite all the other stuff I'm trying to figure out how to do something else.

Middle class/first world problems, I know. I should feel damn lucky to have a great paying job with so many good things about it (I'm recognized for my work, my team, manager and senior leaders see my value, for the last few years I've been given my top picks for projects to work on, etc.).

Still, I'm ready to figure something else out and I'm seriously considering giving up my lifestyle to go back to school and start over doing something I'd feel better about, something I have a passion for.

Genesia said:

Once upon a time, this was my dream job. It had everything - a decent salary and bonus (plus regular bumps and spot bonuses), good perks, interesting and fun work, plenty of autonomy.

For the last 8 years or so (I've been here as a writer for 15, with the company for 20), it's been a lot tougher. The corporate model/philosophy took a dive (we were bought by a much larger corporation) and we've struggled harder to make the new company's plan for us - which means the salary bumps and bonuses have been tougher to achieve.

And frankly, the creative department (which once ruled - we were founded by a copywriter) has borne the brunt of it. We've become the red-headed stepchildren of the place, which has been very hard to swallow.

We have a (mostly) new leadership team now, though - and are hoping that things are going to turn in our favor. But nobody's getting too excited - we've had our few glimmers of hope dashed repeatedly.

We'd all like to get back to what motivated us before - interesting work (concepting as well as production work), feeling like our contributions are valued (instead of being the company whipping boy) and a measure of autonomy (including being allowed some inspiration field trips and offsite workdays).

Happy employees produce great work - and the financial rewards follow. I'm doing okay financially - I'd just like to have some fun again.

This is so true. If you treat people like crap and make 40+ hours of their week miserable, why would they ever want to do anything but the bare minimum for you?

My previous job had (I thought) the potential to be close to a dream job. But then they hired a spiteful, conniving woman as the department director. Of the 12 or so people in my department, at least 50% of us suffered from medical issues due to the stress of working for her (e.g. chronic headaches, weight loss, rashes, ulcers, anxiety, etc.) and resigned.

I don't need to have a "dream job" (and at this point I have little hope of ever getting that); I would settle for working somewhere where the management is competent, professional, and respectful, which seems, in my experience, to be asking quite a lot. I don't need (or actually like) over-the-top accolades but a "thank you" or "good job" now and then goes a long way. At that previous job, I supervised 15 or so volunteers and one of the first things I did was implement an annual "recognition" luncheon to honor them for their service to the organization. Some of them had been volunteering there for 10-15+ years and no one had ever really told them "thank you."

missfee said:

novabrkr said:

The chicks don't dig unemployed guys.

We sure don't.

Unless he's got a third leg, right?

jone70 said:

Genesia said:

Once upon a time, this was my dream job. It had everything - a decent salary and bonus (plus regular bumps and spot bonuses), good perks, interesting and fun work, plenty of autonomy.

For the last 8 years or so (I've been here as a writer for 15, with the company for 20), it's been a lot tougher. The corporate model/philosophy took a dive (we were bought by a much larger corporation) and we've struggled harder to make the new company's plan for us - which means the salary bumps and bonuses have been tougher to achieve.

And frankly, the creative department (which once ruled - we were founded by a copywriter) has borne the brunt of it. We've become the red-headed stepchildren of the place, which has been very hard to swallow.

We have a (mostly) new leadership team now, though - and are hoping that things are going to turn in our favor. But nobody's getting too excited - we've had our few glimmers of hope dashed repeatedly.

We'd all like to get back to what motivated us before - interesting work (concepting as well as production work), feeling like our contributions are valued (instead of being the company whipping boy) and a measure of autonomy (including being allowed some inspiration field trips and offsite workdays).

Happy employees produce great work - and the financial rewards follow. I'm doing okay financially - I'd just like to have some fun again.

This is so true. If you treat people like crap and make 40+ hours of their week miserable, why would they ever want to do anything but the bare minimum for you?

My previous job had (I thought) the potential to be close to a dream job. But then they hired a spiteful, conniving woman as the department director. Of the 12 or so people in my department, at least 50% of us suffered from medical issues due to the stress of working for her (e.g. chronic headaches, weight loss, rashes, ulcers, anxiety, etc.) and resigned.

I don't need to have a "dream job" (and at this point I have little hope of ever getting that); I would settle for working somewhere where the management is competent, professional, and respectful, which seems, in my experience, to be asking quite a lot. I don't need (or actually like) over-the-top accolades but a "thank you" or "good job" now and then goes a long way. At that previous job, I supervised 15 or so volunteers and one of the first things I did was implement an annual "recognition" luncheon to honor them for their service to the organization. Some of them had been volunteering there for 10-15+ years and no one had ever really told them "thank you."

Absolutely.

My old boss was a Nazi. Made the office environment a living hell most of the time*.

(* "most of the time" b/c he was bipolar so sometimes he'd be a good guy)

He paid us GOOD, which was our motivation though.

When the raises stopped, so did productivity, and resumes got sent out.

PurpleJedi said:

missfee said:

We sure don't.

Unless he's got a third leg, right?

and I GOT DICK FOR DAYS

i'm a profesional STUDENT

God, children, Michael Jackson, a sense of perfection, music, family, myself.

[Edited 3/22/12 8:31am]

I have to say, good fanny doesn't even motivate me to work harder. Whenever I smell fanny, I imediately stop working and do everything possible to conquer it. It's not motivating, but rather distracting!