My motivation comes from something inside me. I can’t even say what it is, but I know I am most motivated when I am completely centered and in tune with my spiritual self. I just don’t have the words to explain it. I do know from years of therapy and “self parenting” that if it is praise, criticism or some other out side source, a person had better start looking at their own self knowledge and self esteem and work on it.

Praise makes someone feel like they can do even more. We all know how much effort we put into an assignment. When you praise someone for the things they do well and then add constructive critisism you will get the best performance.

I guess sometimes praise and sometimes criticism. It depends what I needed motivated. Usually I weigh both sides of an issue then decide what I should do or believe or whatever.

If I answer the quesiton literally I’d have to say praise. On a non literal level every person on the planet is either motivated or not motivated by thier own internal mechanisms. But I respond much better to praise. I hear a lot how strong I look and it’s part of what motivates me to go to the gym. I hear a lot how compassionate I am and it’s part of what motivates me to not let that go. So even though it’s an internal “get moving” mechanism it is praise that is most likely to flip the switch.

My family and the desire to care for them and at the same time make them proud of me and the choices I make in life. I like most moms want to care for my family in many ways… …Di

I favor the carrot over the stick.

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” - PROVERBS

“Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” - PROVERBS

I believe that praise is a motivator to continue to do well. And, I believe that (constructive) criticism is an opportunity to do even better.

One of our church leaders illustrated a great point. He had recently accepted the position as the dean of the Business School at Stanford. But instead he chose to serve in the church. On one occasion he was traveling with a church leader who was his superior, and after a large meeting the senior leader asked him if he could give him some feedback about the meeting. With some trepidation the former business professor responded, Of course. The senior leader proceeded to give him some very critical and also positive feedback. He said he actually could feel his own ears burning a bit. He thanked his superior and promised to work on those items. Shortly thereafter there was another large meeting, and the senior leader again offered feedback which he agreed to. Again, the feedback was pointed and challenging - and positive. Still on the same trip, they attended another large meeting in a different city. Again the leader, asked him if he wanted the feedback, but this time, the professor said, “Let me first take a guess at what you might say.” And he proceeded to outline the points that he thought his superior would bring up. At that point, his leader looked at him and said: “Good, now we don’t have to do that anymore.” I thought it was a great illustration of learning to see through the eyes of your teacher or mentor, and understand how to self-evaluate. I was impressed with the great humility it took for this well-known business leader to subject himself to critical review. Many people at his level are no longer willing to have that mirror held up to them. Now I ask my children: Can you guess what I am going to say?

Great Question - thinking hard I realize a negative or judgemental comment and I freeze going into some kind of cold storage - a positive comment I bask in the sun but again I do not see it as any more than fulfilling someone elses agenda - it has to come from inside me - something feel I must do - a strength that I must let out with a determination to do it on my terms. A truc I keep on my desktop — IF LOSE - SACRIFICE - AGONIZING OVER ‘IF I WAS SUITABLE’ ENTERS ONE AREA OF LIFE - INDULGENCE ENTERS ANOTHER, • Sacrifice says, “I can’t be all that I am. I have to give up a part of me.” • Indulgence says, “Because I’ve given up so much, I get to have all I want in this area. I get to be rewarded for my sacrifice.”