Benefiting at work from Brain Based Insights

I was especially interested in Deborah Mangiamele’s post titled…  Keeping Pace with Motivation … at BizstratBlog. 

Deborah described her return to running after a break from the routine … “The steps I heard along the Erie Canal path were my own. Enjoying the cool morning air, I soon realized another set of feet were keeping cadence close behind. In an instant, I received a surge of energy, picking up the pace and began striding out in a smooth-and-relaxed way I hadn't felt in weeks. Finally feeling strong and confident, I knew a runner had emerged after being dormant for awhile.”

Have you ever felt the new surge of encouragement that comes from returning to an exercise regime you loved?

For Deborah...”the power of motivation--running reminds me of its powerful force that drives personal and professional excellence. We need motivation to get any job done. Add adrenaline and competition to the equation and the critical elements are in place for being highly effective.”

To that wonderful analogy … I’d also like to add that we can build new neuron pathways toward motivation that brings success. Deborah mentioned an article that called for rewards based on job performance at work … and while that is an ideal motivator … it rarely occurs … except in high performance settings. First it takes leaders who are willing to facilitate and motivate high performances from all… and then it takes a fair reward that match quality job performances. When this occurs at work people are highly motivated … when it’s absent … the human brain can reboot for personal and collegial motivation.

Motivation has application in work and sport… as Deborah pointed out. In Deborah’s words… “Both in fitness and in the business of life, motivation is the high octane fuel needed to keep pace with excellence.” What does it do for you and how did you sustain strong motivation at work this week?