The Three Colours of Motivation Revisited

In the winter of January, 2010, I wrote a blog called “The Three Colours of Motivation”. Little did I know at the time that this would become my most popular and searched-for blog! What I think surprises me so much about this is that the blog is not “informative” in the same way as many other articles I write for this Motivational Memos series, but more symbolic. Actually, more poetic. To me this suggests something very hopeful and important indeed: that people want more poetry and beauty in their lives! As we enter another (dreadfully cold) winter, after a very trying and strange year, I thought it would be good to revisit this blog; hopefully, it will give you some motivation, or even inspiration, to make it through to next year!

MOTIVATION & THE CENTIPEDE or ‘taking care of the details’…

In the words of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, “It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.” We see this time and time again where one small overlooked element causes the whole house of cards to come crashing down. It is often in the small things that the telltale signs may be read about the state of an organisation or relationship’s health. We have to get the small details right, and in doing so, will often fix the big things.

5 Key Things to Remember About Motivation Part 3: Performance

When it comes to performance, most managers and business leaders prioritise strategy and skills, neglecting the all-important third crucial ingredient: performance. You can have direction and strategy, and you can have all the skills and knowledge in the world, but without motivation, it isn’t going to go very far.

Interview with a BP #8: Paul Ward

Becoming a Business Practitioner is a big step, but the rewards are also tremendous. We wanted to speak with our BPs and get a sense of what they felt the biggest challenges and rewards of being a BP were, as well as foreground the amazing work they do. This interview with Paul Ward is our eighth instalment, revealing the secrets of life as a BP and the incredible difference they make in the Maps community and beyond.

5 Key Things to Remember About Motivation Part 2: Quality

In our last blog, we covered what motivation is, why it’s important, and how it is often invisible to us. In this article, we’ll be covering the second aspect of motivation: the quality it brings to our lives.

Interview with a BP #7: Sonia Gavira

‘The Map really was telling me my story as I was living it then.’ Another way to word this might be it was reflecting her real story and journey, which is what therapists naturally do with their clients in order to help them grasp their narrative.

Interview with a BP #6: Christopher Lawrence

BP stands for “Business Practitioner”. Join us as we interview inspiring BPs about their journey to becoming leaders, coaches, and mentors. Today, we feature Christopher Lawrence, a Motivational Maps Business Practitioner, Life Leadership Coach, Entrepreneur, Change Coach, Certified Master Coach Practitioner (CMCP) and trainer, and founder of Change My Life coaching. 

Interview with a BP #5: Mark Terrell

BP stands for “Business Practitioner”. Join us as we interview inspiring BPs about their journey to becoming leaders, coaches, and mentors. Today, we feature Mark Terrell, a Motivational Maps Business Practitioner, leadership coach and trainer, and creator of The Reluctant Leader.

Emotions, Risk, Change, Feel, Think and Know: geddit?

In my third blog based on, Mapping Motivation, from Routledge (http://amzn.to/2eqdSQq) I'd like to look at one fascinating aspect of Chapter 3. The nine-point summary at the end of the chapter says: "Speed of decision-making, attitude to risk, and desire for change are also aligned with the nine motivators – as are our orientation toContinue reading “Emotions, Risk, Change, Feel, Think and Know: geddit?”

Get On Top of Time for 2013

One of the most frustrating things in life – consciously or subconsciously – is the sense that we have talent and skills and abilities, but somehow the universe doesn't seem to recognise them. And we know it doesn't recognise them because we lack the rewards that we feel we are entitled to. Haven't we allContinue reading “Get On Top of Time for 2013”