Jeff Carouth :: Beta

Recognition is Sometimes the Best Reward

Tue May 06, 2008 at 10.19

The other day I was thinking about motivation. What motivates me? Probably in part because of my recent job interviewing and questions related to how I think, how I solve problems, how I plan things, etc but also just as a general thought. Why do I do the things I do?

I don't know when exactly it hit me, but I think that I am not alone. Motivation to me is recognition. One could easily attribute this to my ego, or narcissism, and I wouldn't really say you are wrong, but the truth is deep down everyone has an ego and everyone is at least partly a narcissist. Even if that isn't true, you can't prove it!

I came up with this conclusion yesterday when I received a ping (instant message) from a friend of mine. He entered a free photography contest and ended up in second place. If you have not seen his work before, Dan is a highly talented photographer. The thing that is most amazing is that he is completely self-taught. He has no formal training. Check out more of his work on his flickr photostream. Don't get me wrong, he definitely deserves the recognition and I am proud for him, but this is what made me think about myself and how I am motivated.

Since I am currently on a quest to build muscle, it's nice to see people I haven't seen for a few weeks. Generally their reaction is "Dude, you got bigger since last time I saw you!" That recognition is enough to validate the hours I spend in the gym, the sweat that pours from my body, the grunts, the strain, the pain. It makes it all worth it in that moment.

Now, I'm not alone. Think about the last time a female friend of yours got her haircut. When you told her, "Hey, I like your new haircut!" was she not glowing with elation? Ours is a world of validation, and I must say I enjoy the recognition as much as the next person.

• Tagged:
• life