Why Motivation Matters

—motivation can be found in every creation—

The process—the energy you bring, your emotion, your experience, your ability to get lost in what you do—translates into the final product. The fruits of your labour will change depending on the quality of the ingredients.

We taste it in sun-ripened oranges, in a fresh, clean glass of water & in the terroir of a wine. We hear it in music: a jazz piece played with soul or a song written from the heart. We see it in a painting created in a state of inner turmoil or effulgent love. We all know the energy brought to creativity—the approach and the process—matters, but we often forget the influence motivation has on the product.

The motivation that fuels our efforts is just as important an ingredient as any other.

Think of the difference in play between a person who wants to win and one who wants to have a good time. Or the person who runs towards success vs someone who runs away from failure. Or the best yet; think of the difference between the salesman who is motivated to make a sale no matter the cost and the one who wants a satisfied customer. Which one is more likely to be honest? Which one would you rather give your money to?

Motivation matters—it changes the way we go about things.

Profit is a good one. Nothing wrong with that. Profits are how businesses survive. But when profit is the only motivating factor, something is most definitely lost.

Just like a pineapple forced to fruition and ripened on the boat as it’s shipped across the sea looks great, perfect, better than good enough, but the sweetness could never compare to one right off the vine—products produced with profit as the sole priority lack substance, and because the ends tend to justify the means, they often cause damage.

We’ve all heard stories of companies that pay their employees terribly because it boosts profits. Or food manufacturers that use ingredients that improve shelf life but aren’t exactly healthy for human consumption. Or construction companies who cut corners and cause catastrophes in defence of the bottom line. I could go on and on.

I’m often called naïve when I talk about how much this bothers me. People look at me, and they say, “That’s just how it is,” or “That’s the way the world works.” Bullshit. It’s crazy to take such things for granted. It’s nuts to accept that businesses cause extreme harm in the pursuit of extreme profits as if it were some law of nature—it’s not. 

Business can be done profitably while still caring about the impact processes, and products have on the world. I’ve seen it.

There are so many people doing business who aren’t solely motivated by profits. Some are driven to make a living doing and sharing what they love. Others want to contribute something they believe in to the world. And some want to create good jobs or are simply unwilling to make a profit when it causes others harm. Artisans, local farmers, small business owners, big business owners, passionate people, people who want to do honest, equitable business, people who love what they do—they’re out there! And many are struggling to get by. 

So, I suggest a shift.

As consumers, let’s spend a little extra and purchase from those who are motivated by their desire to provide quality goods and services because they can’t do it any other way.

I understand that we don’t all have the funds to purchase hand-knit sweaters from Norway, traditionally crafted tea from China or equitably sourced organic coffee. Cheap clothing can be a blessing when you’ve got kids or times are tough. But if you have the means, why not ask: “who would I most like to give my money to?” “Which businesses share my values?” “Who’s doing business the way I would like to see it done?”

Let’s reward those who care about their craft, the process of production and their impact. Let’s reward those who are willing to sacrifice some profits to hold on to their values. Let’s consider the motivation behind the price tags and purchase quality together.

Motivation matters—motivation needs to be rewarded. It’s a way we can all support change, and it’s a way to limit the damage we do to the earth. If enough of us make an effort to find the producers who care and give them our business, it could change the way business is done. And let’s face it, profit for profit’s sake just isn’t sustainable anymore.