Motivation vs. Inspiration

Some time ago I came to the conclusion that what most people think is motivation is really inspiration. Email me if you think I'm off base - but only after reading further...

Motivation is often referred to in the following contexts:

1. "That was motivating"
2. "I need some motivation"
3. "We need to motivate our team"
4. "You de-motivated me" (I really hate this one as a sales manager)
5. "I need to go to a motivational seminar" (I love to hear this one!)

I believe what is really being said is:

1. "That was inspirational"
2. "I need some inspiration"
3. "We need to inspire our team"
4. "You did something and it did the oppostive of inspiring me"
5. "We need to go to a seminar and get inspired by some an idea or concept"

You see, motivation comes after you've been inspired to do something - you do it - and you see positive results. Thus you are MOTIVATED to continue a specific course of thought or action.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about... if I read a book on getting in shape and it has some great pictures of people who've used the ideas and look great that INSPIRES me. I want to look that way too.

If I use the information and techniques and see RESULTS in a few weeks, and start feeling better I then become MOTIVATED to continue using the information. Makes sense - doesn't it?
So as sales professionals, we shouldn't ask others to motivate us - we motivate ourselves by thinking and acting on good information. What we should do is look for inspirational ideas and put ourselves around inspirational people. If you seek, you'll find and then you need to act.

For sales managers, we need to make sure we are creating an INSPIRATIONAL enviornment where great people can have great success in our organizations. We also need to help our team members realize the difference between inspiration and motivation and help them take accountability for their own actions.

If I'm missing something here email me at tomk@resultsseminars.com, or if you agree, shoot me an email. It will inspire me...

TK