Without understanding what drives us, it is impossible to build a happy life or a successful career. Without awareness of motivation, we come to a “broken trough” and an unloved profession. We understand how to avoid this, and how the theory of motivation will help in the search for a favorite thing.
In 1976, economists William Meckling and Michael Jensen published a paper that said people work according to how they are paid. It is the encouragement, according to the authors, determines the desire for results. Supporters of this theory still include many leaders and teachers. And even parents, for example, when they pay money to their children for good grades.
But there are many questions about this theory. So, obviously, in the race for money alone, there is no inspiring success story. From the best companies to Olympic gold. This theory also does not work when it comes to employees of non-profit and charitable foundations. These people work in incredibly difficult conditions without any reward. What motivates them all, if not money?
And here comes the second line of research, the “motivation theory,” which proves that people do things when they want to. Motivation cannot be equated with encouragement.
One of the revolutionary ideas of motivation theory was first expressed by Frederick Herzberg in the 1950s. According to Herzberg, satisfaction and dissatisfaction are two independent indicators, not the plus and minus of one criterion. In other words, you can hate and love your job at the same time.
Herzberg identifies two types of factors that influence our attitude: hygienic and motivating. Hygienic – salary, working conditions, company policy. Their absence or lack leads to job dissatisfaction. To remove it, it is important to identify and eliminate negative hygiene factors. But that won't help you love your job. At best, the hatred of her will go away.
Factors that affect love of work, Herzberg called motivators. They include: interest, responsibility, recognition of merit and the possibility of career growth. Without it, you cannot love what you do. Even if the salary is calculated with five zeros. Moreover, if there are motivators in the work, then there will be love for it, and the desire to engage in it. Even for a little money.
Thus, if when choosing a profession people are guided only by hygienic factors, the level of wages, for example, work will inevitably turn into hard labor. This risk is even in a very comfortable and highly paid specialty. Moreover, one day there is a feeling of being trapped. A person is used to a lifestyle determined by a good salary, but understands that this does not bring him happiness.
That is why, choosing a profession or a job, you should primarily focus on the four motivators of Herzberg. It is important that there is interest, recognition, responsibility and career growth. And it is necessary to remember that there is no equivalence between what brings happiness and what gives money. Choose what really matters.