What kind of motivation inspires you?

After studying the basics of life coaching and NLP I would like to share an interesting theory with you all. Why? Because it's interesting and also because you can put it to use in everyday scenarios straight away.

There are two types of people when it comes to motivation - 'away froms' and 'towards'. These two types of people are inspired and motivated by different things - and understanding this can help you communicate and work effectively with both types.

First let's figure out what type you are.... Would you feel motivated if someone said to you 'when you meet this target you will get a bonus'? Or are would you be more motivated if someone said 'if you don't meet this target you won't get a bonus'? If you answered yes to the first question you are a 'towards' person, answering yes to the second question means you are an 'away from' person.

Let me say at this point that neither is superior, they need each other and each have strengths and weaknesses.

'Towards' people move towards something they want. They don't always take time to stop along the way and think about potential problems. They plough full steam ahead full of ideas and allow themselves to forget about planning.

'Away from' people move away from something they don't want. They plan ahead to make sure they won't encounter problems. They lack the initial drive but are generally more organised.

See how they both need each other?

Take an office with a team of people for example. If you were the manager and you understood who in your team was towards and who was away, you could split them up into two groups and explain why. You begin by giving the brief/target to the towards. They come up with all the ideas and want to get stuck in. Then you pass their work onto the away team, they come up with the potential problems and solutions... And you are on your way to no only great team work, but success.

The whole point is, that if you take the time to get to know someone, and consider their motivation, it will help you to communicate by wording your sentences in a way which will inspire them.