Is it me or is it just a faddish whim i am experiencing when i say i wish to have some quiet motivation? Apparently we need motivation to get us out of our comfort zone – that area of un-achievement familiar to most people i guess at some period of their life. In that sense i think motivation is good. But when i talk about quiet motivation i am rebelling against that Animal Farm bleat of 'comfort zone baaaad, risk-taking gooood'.
i recently saw a news item on National TV news about a couple who's big idea for marriage was getting hitched on a plane: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1cJ2IIjVoMc Yes, that's right, getting hitched ON a plane. To be more precise, 3 small bi-planes: they trained apparently so that the minister – who was selected on the basis of having no fear of heights – and they all stood on their respective planes a thousand feet up in the air where using a comms system they exchanged vows. Again, to be more specific, their standing involved being strapped on the outside of the plane. They were keen to do something different. It certainly was that – as i'm sure their guests observed as they roared overhead.
They were certainly motivated to do something different and highly risky. But performance includes three key ingredients: motivation – they had that; skill – yes, that too, as they didn't fall off; and direction – ah yes, here surely there is something wrong.
What could conceivably be the point of such a performance except to attract publicity – for what? If it's balanced with the risk to life and limb – and we have recently had a young married couple returning in coffins simply from being in their hotel – can it be justified? And this not to mention its pure inconvenience to the guests. I went to a great wedding service on last Friday at Highcliffe Castle: it was good to be able to really see the service!
Of course, the example i am talking about is very extreme, but it does seem as if that is the way of it: people feeling under tremendous pressure to be different, not to conform, and to take enormous risks over pretty meaningless activities.
The world of motivation is itself full of this sort of stuff. Think, the hubris of the fire walk; the trouble is, so many thousands have now 'done' that, where now? what next? Visit the poles, top the mountains, book outerspace, or at the very least depart to inner Borneo.
My challenge to all these restless types who seem to want to go beyond their comfort zone – do what Voltaire said: cultivate your own back garden. Now that would really be stretching it a bit, wouldn't it? If that seems too staid, then i suggest a week away on a silent, religious retreat – vegetarian fare only. Time for meditation and quiet motivation to re-charge those exhausted adrenals.
The Mapping Motivation Series 