I recently read a blog about a friend trying to lose weight. They invited friends to keep them accountable, pile on the insults- whatever it took to keep them on the bandwagon. It’s funny to think that what motivates some will not work for others. Personally, on some things I AM motivated by outside sources- encouragement, or accountability…and then there are things that only “I” can motivate myself to do. I’m not often moved by guilt or condemnation or insults- in fact, many times they are a turn off. But some thrive in that way.
I’m wondering what motivates you? Usually I try to relate to others the way they need/want. But if I ever see you needing a kick in the butt to get going…how should I go about it?
Good post
Discovering what motivates each other has been somewhat of a struggle for me and RJ… only because we are SUCH opposites in this area.
While insults work for him, they certainly do not work for me. Since we’re talking about weight, if someone were to tell me I’m fat or even subtly suggest that I’ve gained a few pounds and might need to start heading to the gym on a regular basis, it would crush me…. SO much that I’d probably wallow in my misery on the couch eating bag after bag of Hot Cheetos w/ Lime to make me feel better.
I respond well to compliments. If someone were to tell me “Hey, you have great arms/legs/whatever body part”, THAT would motivate me to be GREATER. Maybe it’s because I have an over-achieving personality, but I’m the type of person that would run to the gym and play up my strengths, feeding off of that compliment. “You say I have great legs? I’ll show you how great they can really be!”
It works in other ways than just weight/physical appearance. I love when people come over and tell me they are impressed at how clean/organized my apartment is or when RJ tells me he loves how I organize the bathroom cabinets. Because of those compliments, I take pride in those things and strive to KEEP my apartment clean and the bathroom cabinets so neatly organized. (FYI: Nothing is clean right now though, so maybe someone needs to compliment me!)
So that’s me… and my 2cents. Because of the way I am, it’s SO hard for me to understand how people can be motivated by insults… but I guess everyone is different, right?
I just realized I write too much
Amy…maybe you’re having word build up from lack of blogging.
Kidding. No pressure.
I agree, I definitely do better w/ compliments. And if I feel like someone is trying to compete w/ me I’m not down w/ that. I will totally back off.
I am definitely more internally motivated and usually motivated by what I read. It has to make sense to me how I can achieve my goal. I have to see how it can happen, because I really HATE wasting my time. So- I don’t usually get motivated unless I know how its going to work and IF its going to work. Take my closet for instance…until I figured out a system that actually worked to keep it organized- trying to clean it was futile. It just got messy the next day…
Yes!! Noelle…I agree with the closet thing. That pretty much goes for my whole house right now!
Unfortunately…I’m often motivated by time…or lack of. I hate that and am working on changing that. All my life I have been a procrastinator but seem to really do well and get it all done before the ‘due’ date. On other things…I have to believe in what I’m doing…or else there is little or NO motivation at all. Thank you Jesus I’m thrilled about the baby coming because I’m getting the nesting groove on….at least mentally. 
Noelle, just skimming through and found this post. I guess I had never really, really thought about it before, but Amy hit it on the head and as I was reading her comment I realized I was the same way. Feed me a compliment and I will show you how right you are!. I’m not always sure that is good though. I will have to ponder that one, being analytical. Anyway compliments are always good, but truth dripping in love may actually be the best method for me.
What motivates me is seeing other people. I’m an observer. I like to just see what other people do, how they train, how they react and respond, what makes them push to be a better person, a better athlete, a better friend, spouse, whatever. I learn from example. So all those times you thought I wasn’t paying attention, watching or listening… little did you know.
Honestly Noelle, you make me want to be a better person. Your a great example!