Are You Motivational?

I stepped down from the platform after finishing up a talk I had just given.

A young man approached me and asked me this question:

Are you a motivational speaker?

I was a little taken aback at first. There are all kinds of definitions and images of what a motivational speaker is and what a motivational speaker does. I wondered what he meant.

After talking to him a bit more, I took the question for what it was meant to be - a gracious compliment.

Somewhere in my talk he had been inspired and came in contact with the energy and excitement to move forward in a certain area of his life. That's a good thing.

Motivation can be one of the highest forms of influence. We are all naturally motivated at some level. But at some point in the aging process, we become de-motivated in certain areas of our lives. We often need someone to come along and help us reach into some of those early yearnings that we had to do significant things.

A person who motivates others isn't really doing anything to them. People really DO want to act and move in a positive direction. But they need some other human voice to speak into their lives and help them connect with what is already there.

The formula is simple: Action = Inward Desire + Outward Stimulation

This why people will pay large sums of money to hear speakers, listen to tapes, and read books that tap into their inner desire and help them move into action. They are looking for something that will engage in their passions and the deep-seeded longing to do something great.

Think about the man who looks at his bride after 20 years and says the words, "I love you." Hopefully, this is not some new revelation to her, some piece of information that she's just finding out about. In fact, there's nothing new about it all. But the message touches something deep within her and engages with her soul. It's a meaningful message that speaks what she needs and hopes to hear.

"Motivation" comes from the same root word as "movement." That's why the young man came up to me afterwards and asked if I was seeking to be motivational...because he was moved to a response.

If you, as a student leader, want to be "motivational" in your communication, consider the ways that you can tap into the things that are embedded in your audience's heart.

Needs - The things that we need on a daily basis.
Interests - The things that we're curious about or want to know more about.
Concerns - The things that we worry about or fear.
Desires - The things that we long for and deeply want.

Your team, your followers are hoping that you will be a motivational voice in their lives. Every time you communicate with them, you have an opportunity to touch their needs, their interests, their concerns, and their desires. Zig Ziglar said, “People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.”

Flickr photo credit: willoughby00

Comments

[tim]

Hi Denise. Thank you for your comment. I like the simplicity of the formula as well. It's easy to remember and it's helpful when one acts on it.

[Denise O'Berry]

I really like your formula in this post. What a great way to condense it down to a few words that say it all. Kudos to you for developing student leaders who will become our next adult leaders. The time is now and you are doing it!