Hey, Siestas! I have a question rolling around in my mind and I’d love to throw it to my favorite community. Here goes:
What motivates you most effectively?
That’s it. Pure and simple.
Ground rules:
*You can only name one kind of motivation. Think of the one that tends to work on you more often than the others.
*You are asked to name your real, live most effective motivator and not the one you wish you had. (You may honestly respond best to a healthy motivator and, if so, say so! But, if the truth is, you are more often effectively motivated by something negative, please also say so.)
This hint might be of help to some of you as you roll the question around in your sweet head: Think back on times of substantial and lasting change in your life. What motivated the real change? (Of course, we all know that, ultimately, the Holy Spirit brings about transformation, but what did He use???)
You bless me to no end. Watching for your responses!
Committment, others depending on me. This is what motivates me. Doing it all for the sake of Christ, and for His glory, whatever it is.
Well, I hate to have to admit this, but I really believe that competition motivates me. I was going to try to explain that, but just writing it has made me a little ill…
In the past year I have developed the habit of getting up at 6am (not as early as you Beth) and doing my devotionals then excercising, whether it is going to the gym for a class or running. I find that this then prepares me for my day, to include: getting kids off to school, HUSBAND, my dog Ricky! volunteering at church, helping my husband at the office, girlfriends calling with their problems! etc.
I feel so good and so ready to face the day with grace no matter what comes my way!!!
A deadline, when I am up against a wall. Unfortunately I am a procrastinator. I am praying for God to place in me a desire to dø all things as unto Him and to help me live a life that is not controlled by the things I have let build up and become urgent. I want His peace and the knowledge that I am using every moment for His glory.
When I worked full time it was the recognition that motivated me. Now as a SAHM it’s the “I’m running out of time” feeling that motivates me. I wish I could say it’s because I have way too much to do but it’s more like I’ve got plenty of time to get something done that I find myself running around at the last minute trying to complete it. To summarize, procrastination sparks my desperation which fuels my motivation. (as I write that “out loud” it does not give me a warm fuzzy)
I hate to admit it, but after a lot of thought, I think I still get motivated by the fear that I am not lovable or won’t be loved.
Accountability/responsibility/intimacy in community. When I know others are counting on me or watching to see how I do, I’m highly motivated. I don’t want to let others, God, or myself down.
Is it too late to change my response? I was pondering this after I made my response and more than accountability, I would say love has been my biggest motivator. At least in terms of having lasting change from a habit or addiction or way of thinking. Others love, God’s love or my love for them.
The love and support of a friend, someone believing in me!
My biggest motivator…is usually approval and encouragement. Receiving a positive push from someone to help keep me going, getting a good response from someone I’ve done something for, these are what really keep me going and keep me wanting to do things again. Especially as a photographer…hearing the people I take photos for tell me how much they love them, hearing how impressed they can be, really makes me want to keep doing better and keep getting that response. And hearing how my helping someone has been a blessing to them…that keeps me going as well. Really, most any kind of positive reinforcement that whatever it is I’m doing is being appreciated and noticed. 🙂
Deadlines – not self-imposed ones. I put things off because of fear of criticism and conflict and then I’m in a panic to get something done because I’m criticized because I haven’t done it. What a vicious cycle. How I wish I were motivated by Scripture and the Holy Spirit guiding me – inside of by fear of criticism.
That’s a tough one! I hate this answer, but it’s true:
The perceptions other people have of me. Silly example; my house is at its cleanest is when someone is coming over.
At first thought, I was thinking more along the lines of work (my job or house work) and I thought the pressure of a deadline. I work really well with a lot on my plate and a deadline (usually, I do better when the deadline is CLOSE!). I work best under a time crunch or stress. Then when you said something that was life changing, what did the Holy Spirit use to bring about the change? Yet again, it was stress. I allowed each little thing to build on top of the other…trying to handle it myself. He brought me to a breaking point where I couldn’t handle it anymore. I came to the top of a stress peak and broke. I guess I do the same thing with tasks…I’m a great multi-tasker and don’t like to ask for help. I take it all on and get it all done. When I try to do that with my life, I break and see (yet again) that I need to trust Him!
Accountability – I can only stick with something when I know that I will eventually be checked on… My most effective Bible studies come from the times I’m in a group study… I will finish a project when I know a friend is coming to see it… I will clean the house when I know we’ll have company. I need a deadline coupled with a pair of eyes.
Setting a goal motivates me, because I love the feeling of success. Like memorizing 24 scripture by the end of the year. Or buying a pair of pants that are a little too small and challenging myself to fit into them within a certain time frame. 🙂
I have two. Struggles emotionally and spiritually are currently making me stronger and motivating me to seek God more with combination of encouragement and hope. Both encouragement and struggles are changing me. I know it sounds confusing but that’s where I’m at. Struggling but knowing I’m getting stronger in my character and relationship with Christ.
Although, not the only thing that motivates, I would have to choose Money as top on the list, coupled with being able to use my brain in a new way to earn it.
For my husband (or people I know and respect) to verbally affirm me.
This is my first time to leave a comment, and I’m not known to break rules, yet here I am breaking the rule! My motivators are deadlines (I always meet them) and Christian music (music motivates me to clean my house, to exercise, to speak to or send a card to someone the Lord has placed on my heart).
TIMECLOCK…. I have so many things packed into this life that the most important thing is to get up and get living. Do everything that you can get done today because the clock is ticking… Tomorrow will have a great big “To Do” list of it’s own so get today’s done today.
Just some of the life we’re currently living
4 kids – 13, 11, 3 & 3
My Hubby/Their Daddy is Deployed
Work – FT Accountant (Another Tax Season over!!… Oh My!)
Church/ Choir
Girl Scouts (Cookies during Tax Season… FUN!!)
Boy Scouts
Soccer
Dance
Baseball
Oh yeah, and just for fun we’re moving this week after 15 1/2 years in the same home.
Life is such a blessed but hurried time, that we must live it to the fullest!!
Responsibility is my motivation. If I know that it is solely up to me to do something, I give it everything I have. I pour my heart into it. I tend to give more thought and dedication to the task.
As a graphic designer, I am built for the arts. I loooove being creative and crafty. Thank the Lord I have a job that I love. But I get most satisfaction when the client is over-the-top, standing-on-their-head, absolutely in love with the final product. Usually it’s either a logo for their new business or wedding invitations that begin the whole process for a bride. I love being a little part of people’s lives and making them happy in starting their new adventure.
The death of my Grandmother motivated me because I realized she might not have known how much I loved her when she died. I used to live my life with the should-ofs, could-ofs, and would-ofs. 3 weeks ago my Father passed away and I can say I have no regrets because God showed me how to love him in his passing and that is a good thing not having regrets. My motivator is not having regrets. I know myself all too well to know that I will grieve myself to death if I should have done something and I didn’t. Now I just do whatever the Father leads me to do and that brings me peace. Especially now.
a friend – could be a sister in Christ or my husband or my young adult daughter – someone to encourage me, keep me accountable and hold my hand. priceless.
For change in a positive direction, the motivator would be praise and / or words of encouragement. For change in a negative direction, the motivator is criticisim. I often find myself giving in just to get people off my back.
Deadlines. Need to exercise consistently – sign up for a 5K that will be a couple of months down the road. Need to organize/clean house – plan to host a party in a few weeks.
Pain and by that I mean a tough, trying, gut wrenching trial.
Obedience to Jesus motivates me.
XOXO
Wow. Now that’s a loaded question! I think after struggling with a severe eating disorder for 10 long years, and constantly being told that it’s a “spiritual” problem but never really understanding how it could be…meeting and falling in love with the man of my dreams was my number one motivator towards recovery. The good thing is that he didn’t try to rescue me all by himself. He pointed me to Christ for my ultimate healing! And now 11 years later, I can say that the Lord has saved me from destroying myself, and I’m so grateful He used my husband to show me the way.
Fear…
I am usually most effectively motivated by 3 things: encouragement from others, sheer stubborn-ness, and God’s decisions to change me in spite of # 1 and 2.
As a recovering procrastinator, the satisfaction of just finishing something.
I am motivated by love. Love for myself, others, and the world.
Anger. Unfortunately.
Enthusiastic support! If I have support – from my husband, from my sister, my parents, my friends, my small group, my colleagues… whatever it is that I want or need to do becomes infinitely easier, or at least more doable. I get energy from other people’s enthusiasm. If I lack that, I get easily demotivated and discouraged.
Because of events from my early years, my lifelong struggle is feeling like I don’t matter. When others can make me feel that way (and I spiral toward that pit!), that’s the time I am motivated most to get in the Word and seek God’s help and comfort. No other person, no amount of food, nothing can bring me out of that despair except for God and His grace.
I believe that God does not heal me from this because I wouldn’t lean on Him without it. It brings me back to Him every day and helps me to realize that without Him, NOTHING matters.
Hurt and anger. Especially if I can’t tell the difference.
Motivator… telling me “I can’t” do something. The greatest life transforming turn was finding my mother-in-law unconscious and having to perform CPR. She did not survive and would not let me help her when she was living. But don’t feel sorry for me — I have learned more about my God the past 2 years that I ever could imagine!!!
praise and recognition. and since i’m a sales person, a little money is nice too. 🙂
Misery. I finally have to be miserable enough to make a change – to overcome fear, disobedience, rebellion, pride, etc., etc., etc.
Used to be fear and approval of others–now it is gone—now it is condemnation–yes I know that ‘there is now no condemnation’–yacks at me all the time–always fighting it–and what it says….
There are several:
Recognition when it comes to acheiving goals at work! I am blessed to work with a company that recognizes us frequently — so it’s fun and very motivating!
Desperation when it comes to problems that I am just plain tired of….for example, living in debt for years brought sleepless nights and too much stress. So we did the Dave Ramsey plan and were really motivated to clean up that mess!
Lastly, a good lesson where truths are shared and cannot be denied! Miss Beth, between yours, Frances Chan and David Platt (really to name a few, but these are the most recent) — they have motivated me to change my prayer life, practice the disciplines that will allow the Holy Spirit to do His job and CHANGE ME, live so much more simply….etc.
That would be it 🙂 Have a terrific Tuesday!! xoxo
I believe what motivates me would have to be encouragement and approval!! First when I’m encouraged to do something that is usually out of my comfort zone but God, I’m pretty sure wants me to do, such as leading bible study classes aka Beth Moore studies. I then seek peeps approval!! I really hate that about me cause I should really just have trust and faith that, that is what I am suppose to be doing at that particular time and nobody’s approval or oppinion should matter. Ya know in those situations I always open up my bible and seek God’s word, that I should say would be my number 1 motivator, but I have to say that I am human and tend to run to other human’s before doing that!! Darn it! I think I may have just learned a lesson by typing this!! Thanks for making me think today girl!! Appreciate You!! God Bless!!
Free time. I’m most motivated when I know I have some time ahead of me that’s not filled with plans, obligations, etc.
it depends on what the circumstance is…simple, everyday things -lists and the satisfaction and accomplishment of crossing items off the list. but life changing things -compassion and meeting someone else’s needs above my own. my husband and i (who are both 27, have been married nearly 7 years and have an 8 month old daughter) just moved my 12 year old niece in with us…life is challenging right now.
It’s not always a good motivator, but I think being a “fixer” – wanting everything to be right in the lives of all my loved ones motivates me. I am reminded that God does not need me to “fix” it. He told me so. So that sends me to His Word. His Word is not opinion. It is truth.
I am most motivated when I am doing things for others, so I tend to lead groups or teach a class or attend so someone else will go who would not have gone on their own without another person.
Being used by God to help people. That is my truest answer. Sometimes I can be so lazy and cynical and then the Lord will place a need in front of me to help someone else and I can feel my strength return. Being used for a purpose makes me feel alive.
Going through times of adversity which always causes me to seek the Lord more. When I get to a place that I don’t want to be, then I more diligently seek the answer from the Word. Remembering where I’ve been before is my biggest motivator.
Well, I would have to say Fear is a major contributing factor. The Lord has shown me this very clearly and we are conquering this together, cause there is no fear in Love and Perfect Love casts out fear. He just happens to know a thing or two about Perfect Love !!
Praise The Lord!!!!!!!!
I am motivated by frustration when things are not being complete fast enough. I am motivated by passion for education. I am motivated by irritation when things don’t go my way. I am motivated by anger and fear when my husband is upset or my 18 year old daughter is talking about moving out. I am also motivated by love for my family and my Lord.