I'm really motivated when something really catches my interest, especially if it is something that I have never experienced before. However, if a task is continuously repetitive and I can't see an end in sight, I feel like it is a grind and I'm just doing it because it is my job.
Motivating others is difficult. Depending on the person and the situation, it may require different tactics. For instance, back in college, when I wanted one of my four roommates to take out the garbage or clean the bathrooms, I'd try to incite them to act. First, I'd ask them nicely. If that didn't work (and it usually didn't), I'd throw a tantrum - not my favorite tactic, but it is one that seems to work best on them. On the other hand, during UC Davis' Picnic Day, I tried to convince my roommates to go to see the events with me, since I didn't want to go by myself. Instead of getting angry, I tried to get them interested in the events. Like I would tell one of them, "Hey there's a professor talking about black holes and time travel," because he was really interested in quantum physics.
Practice makes perfect. To improve my motivational repertoire, I need to practice and gain the experience to know what type of motivation to use and when.
I totally agree with you that different people require different methods of motivations. And it is not just people that we need to adjust our motivation methods for. The context of the situation will also determine which motivation will work the best. A good leader will understand which methods to use for any situation. A good leader will also know how to use these methods effectively. It is about people's skills and understanding what people find important.
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