And when is the last time you have felt “pumped-up” like when you scored a goal in hockey or won the spelling bee?  Wouldn’t it be great if you could feel that elevated every day at work? (Or school or home?)  And I guess I don’t have to say it is not money that made the difference.

People are motivated by achievement and recognition.  Achievement is when you know you have just done something for the first time or better than you expected.  You didn’t think you could jump that bar or get that report completed on-time, but you did.  It feels good!   Recognition is when someone else makes note of it – timely, specific and excited.  “Wow!  I saw you put in extra speed and get your steps right to make a new record height.”  It is like throwing gas on the fire the individual already lit.

Another aspect of motivating employees is that they need feedback.  It you ignore and individual, even one of your great “self motivators”, their motivation and drive will fad if you do not give them attention.

So what is the best approach?

• Establish a challenge:  Set a challenging but achievable goal aligned with where you want them to go

• Be There:  Be sure to be there when they are accomplishing the task to see the results and give timely feedback

• Recognize:  Express excitement with the successful goal attainment and thank them for their contribution to the overall goal

• Repeat:  Give them some time to enjoy their success and then create the next challenge with them for their next level of success.

And this model works any place (work, school, sports, home) and with anyone (subordinate, peer, boss, friend, child).

Fire up your people and see what they can achieve and the commitment they can have.