Values, strengths and motivations are a part of one of the IAM Maps called the Energy Map™. Originally, motivations were passions, but when we took the Energy Map™ into a corporate client they had a little problem with the word ‘passion.’ I bet you can imagine …

So we changed passions to motivations. Then some of our corporate clients thought we were talking primarily about money (our non-profit clients tended to naturally have a broader focus). Yes, money is nice. But if it’s your only motivation, we end up with excessive greed and ridiculous bonuses like we’re seeing now!

The word ‘motivations’ works well as long as we can think about it broadly. Yes, basic survival needs are motivating, including the need for income. For many people, this level of motivation is not sustainable in the long run; work that does not challenge you to learn or grow or engage your heartfelt passions could be a terrible fate (this is how I feel).

In the IAM Honor Your Motivations lesson, we challenge people to use the chaos and uncertainty around them as an opportunity to seek growth and fulfillment ongoing. Not because we’re terrified. But because it’s really, really fun and because it’s a way to differentiate yourself in the marketplace.

We like to honor the culture of the people and organizations we work with … and so we changed ‘passions’ to ‘motivations’. But maybe the word ‘passions’ might actually inspire more growth and fulfillment?

What are your motivations and/or passions? And how might our different cultures and perspectives inspire deeper levels of passion in each of us?