Tony Martignetti

Motivating people at work can be challenging, but it is essential to building a positive and productive workplace. There are two main types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Understanding these two types of motivation can help you develop strategies to encourage and support your employees.

The best way to understand extrinsic motivation and intrinsic motivation is the difference between being pulled by a rope and being pushed by a sail.

Extrinsic motivation is like being pulled by a rope. It involves external factors, such as rewards, punishments, or social pressure, that motivate you to take action. It's like someone pulling you along towards a goal, and you are not necessarily enjoying the journey or the process but rather the end result.

Intrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is like being pushed by a sail. It involves internal factors, such as personal values, interests, or a sense of enjoyment and fulfillment in what you are doing, that motivate you to take action. This type of motivation often leads to higher engagement, creativity, and overall job satisfaction. For example, an employee who is passionate about their work is more likely to put in extra effort and come up with innovative solutions to problems. It's like a sail that catches the wind and propels you forward because you're genuinely interested in what you're doing, and it's inherently rewarding to you.

So, while being pulled by a rope can be effective in getting you to take action, it may not be sustainable or enjoyable in the long run. But on the other hand, being pushed by a sail can help you find deeper satisfaction and enjoyment in what you're doing, leading to greater motivation, creativity, and a sense of fulfillment.

Finding a balance between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation is crucial to motivate employees effectively. Here are some tips to help you do that:

Create a positive work environment: A supportive and inclusive workplace can help employees feel valued and motivated to do their best. Encourage collaboration and open communication, and celebrate successes to foster a positive atmosphere.

Offer opportunities for growth and development: Employees who feel they are learning and growing are more likely to be intrinsically motivated. Therefore, offer training, mentorship programs, and opportunities for career advancement to help employees reach their full potential.

Provide meaningful work: When employees understand the purpose of their work and how it contributes to the organization's goals, they are more likely to feel motivated and engaged. Encourage employees to take ownership of their work and provide regular feedback on their progress.

Offer rewards and recognition: Extrinsic motivation can be a powerful tool, but it should be used with intrinsic motivation. For example, offer recognition for a job well done, and provide financial incentives for meeting specific goals. Just be sure to also recognize and reward employees for their contributions to the team, not just for individual achievement.

By creating a positive work environment, offering opportunities for growth and development, providing meaningful work, and offering rewards and recognition, you can help your employees stay motivated and engaged. Remember, each person is unique, and what motivates one person may not work for another. Therefore, it is essential to be flexible and adapt your approach to meet the needs and preferences of each employee.

Have you ever felt stuck in your thinking, unable to come up with new ideas or find solutions to problems? Many of us experience creative blocks at some point in our lives, but the good news is that inspired thinking can be cultivated and developed. Let's explore what inspired thinking is, why it's essential, and how you can tap into it to unleash your creative potential.

Inspired thinking refers to a state of mind where you are open, imaginative, and receptive to new ideas and solutions. It's when your mind is free from limitations and obstacles, and you can see things from a different perspective. Inspiration can come from various sources, such as nature, art, music, or even a conversation with a friend. The key is to allow yourself to be open to new experiences and embrace change.

Why is Inspired Thinking Important?

Inspired thinking is important because it allows us to see things from a fresh perspective and find new solutions to problems. It helps us break free from our usual patterns of thinking and approach challenges with a more imaginative mindset. Inspiration can also lead to personal growth and development and increased satisfaction and fulfillment in life.

How to Tap into Inspired Thinking

Here are a few tips to help you tap into inspired thinking and unleash your creative potential:

• Embrace change and new experiences: Allow yourself to be open to new ideas and experiences. Try new things, travel to new places, and engage with different cultures. These experiences can spark new ideas and perspectives.
• Cultivate mindfulness: Mindfulness can help you focus and be more present in the moment. It can also help you quiet your inner critic and allow your mind to be more open to new ideas.
• Surround yourself with positive and creative people: Being around positive, creative individuals can inspire and energize you. Seek out like-minded people who can support and challenge you to think differently.
• Take breaks and disconnect: Sometimes, our best ideas come to us when we're not actively trying to think of them. So give your mind a break by taking a walk, meditating, or doing something completely different from what you're working on.
• Keep a creative journal: Write down your ideas, thoughts, and observations. A creative journal can help you track your progress and organize your inspired thoughts.

Inspired thinking is a valuable skill that can enhance your life in many ways. By embracing change, cultivating mindfulness, surrounding yourself with positive and creative people, taking breaks and disconnecting, and keeping a creative journal, you can tap into your inspired thinking and unleash your creative potential. So go ahead and give it a try!

"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard." – John F. Kennedy

Science fiction is reality. That's not something I ever thought I would say, but the wildest sci-fi from my childhood is not only happening right now, but a few of my clients are making it a reality.

One of my clients uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create new medicines faster than ever, while another is on the verge of bringing back extinct species like the woolly mammoth! And another is programming cells to make everything from food to clothing. The possibilities are endless.

What was once science fiction is now becoming science fact. However, what strikes me most is that getting to the point where all of this was possible required two simple words… What If?

Asking, What if we could bring back an extinct creature? What if we could make medicines faster? What if we could instruct cells to evolve in new ways? Something profound happens when we create this pathway for our minds to follow. It's the gateway to all possibilities. And it doesn't have to be something big and crazy, it could just apply to your own life. What if I went back to school at the age of 50 to pursue that degree I have always wanted? What if I left my corporate job and started my own company?

Asking ourselves, What if can lead us down a challenging path, but that doesn't mean it's not worth pursuing. The more difficult path might lead to great rewards.

This past summer, I traveled to Tanzania to fulfill a long-time dream. It was a challenging experience at times, but my life is much fuller as a result, and it all started by asking, "What if I decided to go and climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2022?"

Having the courage to ask "What if" is the beginning of some of the most incredible adventures.

So, what is the big What if for you? Having the courage to ask yourself that question could lead to the most significant innovation, contribution, or adventure of your life.

I recently laughed to myself about an old scene from the movie Airplane. At one point, they turn on the emergency autopilot, and a funny blow-up pilot with a hat ends up flying the plane. It had me thinking about the concept of autopilot in our lives and how it can help or hurt us.

Marshall Goldsmith, the top executive coach in the world, and Barack Obama both talk about how they put their daily wardrobe on autopilot. They both own multiple pairs of the same shirt and pants they wear every day.

This isn’t for everybody, but what works for them is that there isn’t a second of wasted time or energy that goes into figuring out what to wear. It is just automatic!

Many people have their morning routine on autopilot and simply follow the rails of a well-established process that sets them up for the day.

And then, of course, outsourcing is a form of autopilot. For example, you can outsource your calendar management and social media posts. Subscription services or other service providers can even handle everything from your laundry to your meals.

You can even autopilot, procuring your pleasure. For example, I have a service that sends me small-batch coffee from around the world every month. I don’t have to think about it, and I quite literally get a world of variety. It’s amazing.

The less time and energy you put towards things you don’t personally need to be focusing on, the more bandwidth you have for what is truly important in your life.

When you leverage your ability to put the right things on autopilot, it allows you to fully engage with the things that should never go on autopilot, like spending time with your loved ones. Communicating with the people you count on for business. Connecting with deeper meaning or being engaged in something you are passionate about.

Again, the whole point of autopilot is to set you up for full engagement with the things that matter most. So, what parts of your life cost you precious time and energy that could be put on autopilot?

You don’t have to do it all yourself when you can autopilot the right stuff and set yourself up for a life of ease, joy, and productivity. If you want a little help, that’s one of my specialties.

"Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets." – W. Edwards Deming

What do you think of when you hear the word "design"? Most people think of graphic design, interior design, or art design. But if you look at anything around you… the clothes you are wearing, your home, your car, your phone, your computer, and all the hundreds of thousands of little details that make it all work have all been designed by a human mind. And beyond that, if you look out into nature, every tree, bird, blade of grass, or tiny grape seed has been perfectly designed by nature to perform its exact function.

So, in essence, there is nothing that exists without a design.

What is fascinating about you, me, and everyone we know is that we use our own unique designs to create systems for our lives. And as W. Edwards Deming, a thought leader in the field of engineering, famously said, "Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets." Of course, that does not mean you will always like the results your system gets. It just means that every system works perfectly to create the results that it does.

If you want peace, you can design a system for it. If you want financial abundance, career success, or love, you can design a system for it, and you can continue to refine the design of your system until you have exactly what you want.

The most successful people on the planet realize that the secret to a successful, joyful life of meaning and impact is in designing systems that get you there.

Do you like the results your system is getting you? If not, then it's time to redesign it. As a seasoned life designer, I can help.

Location: Virtual    Date Available: February 21st, 2023     Fees: 5,000

Submission Date: February 20th, 2023     Service Type: Service Offered