Know Thyself: Specific Assessment Exercise – Motivations

Everyone is motivated differently. In his book, Managing the New Careerists, C. Brooklyn Derr suggests that some people derive motivation from the tasks they perform, while some are moved by opportunities to succeed and advance. Some people seek security in their lives, while some are searching for balance. Motivation assessments help you determine the factors in your life or work that give you a sense of purpose and direction.

Motivations can be categorized from several different perspectives and change over time.

Intrinsic versus Extrinsic Rewards

At work, which is your chief (or only) motivator?

Brainstorming Motivators

Make a list of things that motivate you, such as:

Decide which of these are the most important and which are not as important, e.g., "I really like recognition, but I have a new house, car, and outstanding student loans, so money is more important right now." Determine which, if any, of these motivators you experience in your current job and/or in your career in general.

Motivational Type

Derr suggests that there are five possible motivational types, which he refers to as career orientations:

Everyone has one or two dominant orientations that motivate them in their careers. After deciding which motivators are important for you, consider which career orientation most fits you. Once you decide which motivators are most important for you, you'll be able to see that there they compliment your career orientation.

Think carefully, though, since the motivations compliment the personality types in different ways. For instance, you may be motivated to earn a lot of money, but money can compliment all of the career orientations. Money can be seen as a status symbol, or it can provide a measure of security and freedom. You may get a thrill from the actual act of earning money and being financially comfortable can help you achieve balance. If you are motivated by money, consider what you really get from the money. You are likely to find that some motivators offer a more clear indication of your orientation than others.

Now consider your career. Does it provide you with the motivating factors that you identified? Does it compliment your career orientation? If you are motivated more by intrinsic rewards, such as emotional satisfaction, then consider if your chosen career provides you with the stimulus that you need. Similarly, if you are motivated by extrinsic rewards, ask yourself if your career fulfills this need.

It's possible that a certain profession may offer a number of motivators that satisfy more than one orientation. For instance, a surgeon can earn a lot of money and merits a great deal of respect. They may rise to become a medical director, or they may simply be excited by the act of performing surgery. The shortage of surgeons will guarantee a certain amount of security and a successful career can offer a great deal of flexibility and freedom.

By identifying your motivations, you can assess whether your work is providing you with the factors that make you happy, fulfilled, excited, and effective. As well, if you're considering a new career, a self-assessment is a must to help you make the best choice.

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