Welcome to the Tero March eZine

"The Mystery of Motivation", an article in a recent issue of Psychology Today, discusses the complexities of human motivation. Where many assume money is a motivator, it isn't always. In fact it can backfire in certain circumstances.

Behavioral Economist, Uri Greezy, of University of California San Diego remarks on a study of daycare center parents. To get the parents motivated to pick up their kids on time from the daycare, the daycare instituted a fine. Greezy, a parent himself said that before the fine, he used to run like mad to get his child on time because that is what he was supposed to do. He felt a social obligation to be prompt. Once the fine was instituted, he like other parents made the case in their mind it was now economic, and it wasn't bad to be late, as long as you could pay for it. In fact in a study of 10 daycares of which six imposed a fine yet eliminated it 12 weeks later, the rate of late pickups doubled. It remained at that level even after they removed the fine. They actually created a culture of tardiness, an unintended adverse consequence.

How? Greezy explains once the fine was in place the perception of people of the environment they were operating in changed. Once an incentive is introduced (this one being to prevent anti-social behavior of being late) the brain region associated with social reward relocates to the cost/ benefit analysis region. This reframes people's actions.

Motivation is a tricky thing. Often what seems motivating, can produce unintended consequences and actually reframe how people view expectations and their environment.

This month we invite you to examine motivation. What motivates you? What demotivates you?

The Q and A explores what to do when motivation changes, and also how to create a personal environment that supports productivity. The Development Challenge outlines a method for identifying goals and purpose, two things essential to fuel motivation. The article comes from our upcoming book "Your Invisible Toolbox: The Technological Ups and Interpersonal Downs of the Millennial Generation", and explores unintended consequences of organizational motivation efforts. The resources describe the importance of self-motivation, and the inspiration reminds us motivation is not equal to comfort.

As you peruse this edition, please keep in mind that March 6th our livestream show "Your Invisible Toolbox" premieres at 9:03 a.m. We hope you will feel motivated to join us in that space to further explore all the tools that fuel career success!