The Great Secret of Motivation

By Rolando José Olivo

Motivation constitutes a disposition, energy or force that compels people to act, and can arise even in the most adverse conditions. Furthermore, without this extraordinary quality, it is almost impossible for individuals to use their best qualities and develop fully their potential.

Obviously, motivation is not easy to understand because it is cause and consequence of various attitudes and behaviors, responds to internal and external factors, requires a certain level of optimism and positive expectations, and as well as resilience, it manifests in a particular and selective way, in a lesser or greater degree, in each one.

Therefore, in order to analyze motivation, it is necessary to glimpse the complex human nature, at least evaluate a successful story in which motivation was surprisingly awaken (as in the case of Job) and understand its wonderful secret, related to opportunities and expectations to satisfy certain needs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rolando José Olivo
• Release date: Apr 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463793145

Rolando José Olivo

[e-mail] Instagram: @rolandojolivo Systems Engineer with 3 postgraduate degrees: Master's Degree in Applied Economics, Diploma in General Management and Specialization in Management of Social Programs (Summa Cum Laude). Work experience in companies in the oil sector, occupying these positions: Planning and Logistics Manager, Project Coordinator, Financial Advisor and Consultant. Consultant in the economic and financial area. Writer of books on economics, management, self-help, novels and Christianity, among others.

Book preview

I. INTRODUCTION

Too much has been written and talked about motivation, a favorable emotional state, which is difficult to define. In general terms, this constitutes a disposition, energy or force that compels people to act and depends on incentives, events, internal and external factors, and a certain state of satisfaction or optimism related with the possible results of the actions that will be executed.

It is relevant to note that motivation is an integral part of the complex human nature, it can arise even in the most adverse conditions (as happened in the story of the saint Job) and without this determinant it is almost impossible for people to use their best qualities and develop fully their potential. Or in other words, a demotivated human being doesn´t aspire to succeed nor can give his best efforts.

This literary work aims to provide an overview of motivation and reveal its great secret, in accordance with the needs and expectations of individuals.

In this regard, this book contains these main chapters:

A. The Complex Human Nature.

B. The Extraordinary Example of Job.

C. Analyzing Motivation.

The Chapter II. The Complex Human Nature is divided into these sections: a) II.1 The Definition of a Human Being (What is a human being?), b) II.2 The Human Needs (What are they, according to Maslow's approach?), c) II.3 The Human Rationality (How does it shape human behavior?), d) II.4 The Human Egoism-Mimicry (Why are we so selfish and ambitious?), e) II.5 Some Favorable Qualities (What are the best?), f) II.6 Some Adverse Qualities (What are the unfavorable ones and why do they arise?), and g) II.7 The Human Essence (How are we?).

The human nature is complicated, difficult to understand, glimpse and evaluate. Although the cognitive human being is exceptional and has intellectual faculties and abilities superior to those of any animal species (rationality, imagination, creativity, proactivity, consciousness, love, motivation, resilience, etc.), he is also immersed in great needs that can lead to falling into adverse emotional states (envy, frustration, resentment, depression, burn-out, bore-out, chronic dissatisfaction, etc.). Nonetheless, only motivation and optimism allow to overcome negative emotional effects, develop the best human qualities, face calamities and succeed in life.

The Chapter III. The Extraordinary Example of Job contains these parts: a) III.1 The Book of Job (Who is the author? Is Job's story true? When was this tale written?), b) III.2 Job’s Misfortunes (Why the righteous and innocent Job suffered so much?), c) III.3 Job's Answers (How did he react to adversities, facing unbearable pains?), and d) III.4 The Victory of Job (How did he manage to succeed spectacularly, despite being despised and humiliated, and having few resources?).

Job's story is a masterful literary work that reflects human life, focused on the existential problem of human suffering (why are there innocents who suffer so much, while there are wicked who are successful?) and aimed to overcome resentment (in the face of innumerable injustices), within a spiritual struggle between the good and the evil. Suddenly, inconceivable tests or tragedies can appear and only starting with certain motivation, it is possible to face difficulties, defeat adverse events and continue with life, fulfilling main aspirations and needs.

The Chapter IV. Analyzing Motivation includes these subchapters: a) IV.1 Redefining Motivation (Really, what is motivation?), b) IV.2 Work Motivation (Are there differences between personal and work motivation?), c) IV.3 The Strategies of Visionary Companies (How do the best corporations motivate human capital?), and d) IV.4 Awakening Motivation (How can we motivate ourselves and others?).

It isn´t easy to explain motivation because this force is the cause and consequence of various attitudes and behaviors, responds to internal and external factors, requires a certain level of optimism and positive expectations, and as well as resilience, motivation manifests in a particular and selective way, in a lesser or greater degree, in each one. Although there is a great secret that allows to motivate others and ourselves.

Finally, the great secret of motivation is closely related to opportunities and expectations to satisfy certain needs, in accordance with the complex human nature and proceeding in the right way, as demonstrated by the saint Job.

II. THE COMPLEX HUMAN NATURE

II.1 THE DEFINITION OF A HUMAN BEING

II.2 THE HUMAN NEEDS

II.3 THE HUMAN RATIONALITY

II.4 THE HUMAN EGOISM-MIMICRY

II.5 SOME FAVORABLE QUALITIES

II.5.1 THE COGNITIVE CAPACITY

II.5.2 LOVE

II.5.3 MOTIVATION

II.5.4 RESILIENCE

II.6 SOME ADVERSE QUALITIES

II.6.1 THE MERIT-FAULT DOUBLE STANDARD

II.6.2 ENVY

II.6.3 FRUSTRATION

II.6.4 RESENTMENT

II.6.5 DEPRESSION

II.6.6 EXHAUSTION OR BURN-OUT

II.6.7 BOREDOM OR BORE-OUT

II.6.8 CHRONIC DISSATISFACTION

II.7 THE HUMAN ESSENCE

II.1 THE DEFINITION OF A HUMAN BEING

We still don´t know exactly what a human being is. Despite the fact that philosophers have asked this question, at different times, to-date, it hasn´t been possible to construct a precise definition, because anyone is short, limited, restricted and incomplete. Even if we try to elucidate this question (considering various characteristics, reasoning, behaviors and favorable and adverse qualities), we will not achieve this goal, because this conception is holistic and synergistic: the whole surpasses the parts, and there will always be more and more qualities that will distinguish the extraordinary human being.

On the one hand, the human being is exceptional, widely surpasses the capacities of other living beings, is creative, curious, emotional, evaluative, skillful, imaginative, innovative, intelligent, persistent, reasoner and has a conscience that distinguishes the good and the evil. He also stands out for his altruism, generosity, love and incredible abilities to self motivate, be resilient, and even overcome adverse circumstances. Actually, the cognitive capacity[1] or the great difference between the human being and the other species constitutes a great mystery.

Likewise, the Homo sapiens is prone to analyze the facts, find a meaning for his existence and transcend, thinking about the future, death and destiny.

That is why, since immemorial times, the human being has tried to understand the great existential mysteries and has asked himself various questions:

1. Is there a God?

2. How was the universe created?

3. What is the origin of life and of the human being?

4. What comes after death?

5. Why does time exist?

6. What is the destiny of humanity?

7. Is there a conflict between