Intelligent Motivation for a Challenging World

By Jim Cathcart

Once on a plane my seatmate asked what I did for a living. When I told him I was a motivational speaker he replied, "I don't believe in motivation because it doesn't last." The flight attendant standing nearby said, "Neither does a bath but it's still a good idea now and then."

Of course motivation doesn't last. Nor does eating, emotion, exercise or scores of other things. But they still have value for us.
Motivation needs to be intelligently done. It's not about just generating energy around an idea or getting "pumped up" about something. Motivation is about acting on motives.

Motive + Action = Motivation

Simple motivation is merely generating enthusiasm. It is occasionally useful and effective but hardly lasting or of strategic value. Intelligent Motivation, on the other hand, is determining what is important, identifying what action is needed and doing what is necessary to generate and sustain that action.
Our new Cathcart Institute, inc. by-line is:
Intelligent Motivation
for a Challenging World.

At a recent convention I attended the cocktail reception the night before my keynote speech. Upon learning that I was the next morning's speaker a man challenged me with this request, "Since you're our 'Motivational Speaker' how about motivating me?" I smiled and asked, "To do what?" He replied, "I don't know, just motivate me." I playfully replied, "I could do that but then I'd have to bill you." Then I went on to point out that without a clear Motive there can be no motivation.
We must have something worthwhile to act toward and we need to be careful and intentional in selecting our targets. I teach people how to determine what matters to them and how to identify ways to get themselves to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done even when they don't feel like doing it and to still do it very well.
Allow me to repeat that: Self-Motivation is when people Get themselves to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done whether they feel like it or not and still do it very well.
Let's agree that if a person is not "motivated" to do good work then they probably won't do it. And if a person has no self-driven motive for excellent performance then they will have to be continually motivated by others. Motivation is absolutely essential to the success of any endeavor. We've trivialized it for far too long. It matters and it is urgent, not optional.
In a business where there isn't much self-motivation the leaders can never rest because they are the only ones holding things together. Conversely, where the people have been taught how to become and stay motivated the leaders can loosen their grip on supervision and focus on the highest payoff activities for their own talents. The more self-motivated your people become the easier it will be to lead them.
Let's also be intelligent about identifying which goals to pursue and our motives for doing so. Then let's select the best actions to take and the strategies for sustaining those actions.

Intelligent Motivation(tm):
is determining what is important,
identifying what action is needed and
doing what is necessary to generate and
sustain that action. 

When you or your team need some Intelligent Motivation please give us a call, we'd love to work with you.
www.cathcart.com
800 222 4883

United Nations Speech by Jim Cathcart

From: Cathcart Institute, Inc. 

The Global Speakers Network is a part of the International Federation For Professional Speakers. Their 2008 Annual Meeting was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on August 5, 2008 and the keynote speaker was Jim Cathcart, past president of the National Speakers Association (USA) and member of the Speaker Hall of Fame. 

The members who attended this event were the Presidents and key officers in their respective countries around the world. IFFPS president Joe Sherren addressed the 2,000 assembled members of the United States' National Speakers Association and then passed the gavel to incoming International President, W. Mitchell from the USA. 

After a tour of the UN facilities including the General Assembly, and a one hour breifing by one of the UN staff executives the group enjoyed a cocktail reception on the 4th floor deck overlooking the East River, followed by a dinner at which Jim Cathcart was the keynote speaker.

The essence of Mr. Cathcart's speech was: 

The Power, Privilege and Responsibilities of the Platform.
Some of his key points were:

• Others are watching your example and depending on your performance.
  
• Asking others to help is a sign of strength.
  
• You are only using all your strength when you reach out to others.
  
• Organizations are organisms not machines. They are living systems.
  
• The essence of the organization is the interactions among the participants.
  
• Developing yourself is essential so that you have more to give.
  
• To get others involved remember: People go where they get value and where their friends are.
  
• Find out what they consider to be valuable and how they decide who are their friends.
  
• Your decisions and actions will determine the future of your country's speakers association.
  
• What you do matters, a lot, and others are looking to you for leadership.
  

Incoming president Mitchell provided closing comments and inspiration to all attendees.
For more information on the International Federation go to: http://www.iffps.org. 

To schedule Jim Cathcart for your events contact: http://www.cathcart.com