The Truth Behind What Motivates Us

Bullet Point Notes on My Talk:

“The Truth Behind What Motivates Us”

1- In preliminary societies people were motivated by their basic necessities. Food, water, shelter, procreation.

2- Once we developed a little we developed a reward and punishment system, also known as the carrot and stick system. The basis of this is the example of donkey if you dangle a carrot in front of him he will continue to work, if he doesn’t then you beat him with the stick. The crunchier the carrot and the sharper the stick the more the donkey will respond.

3- This system brought about the following negative traits: a) Diminished intrinsic motivationb) Lower performance c) Less creativityd) Cheating and taking of short cutse) Addictions f) Shortcomings

4- What truly motivates people: a) Autonomy b) Masteryc) Purpose

5- True Autonomy is in Paradise when people are free from burden and have what they desire. Mastery, is found in constant seeking of knowledge and growth, which are both heavily emphasized in Islam. Purpose is to live for other than yourself.

6- Further motivation is found in finding Love, Recognition, Certainty, Adventure.

7- What are incentives of the people of the dunya (3:14): a) Womenb) Childrenc) Wealth d) Transporte) Property

8- What are the incentives of the people of taqwa (3:15) a) Gardens with riversb) Eternal lifec) Pure spousesd) Pleasure of Allah

9- Fear as motivation will fall short if not accompanied by pleasure. Allah combines both in the quran. 15: 49-50. Fear wares out very quickly.

10- The ultimate motivation is variation in pleasure (Good in this life, rewards of the hereafter, seeing Allah) along with variation in punishment (difficulty in this life, punishment in the hell fire, being deprived of good in the eternal life)

Refer to Drive by Daniel Pink for more information. Here is a good summary:http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2011/05/what-really-motivates-us/