Thanks for the conversation starter. I really enjoyed Pink’s book, but I saw not only as a resource for self-motivation, but also helping leaders understand that lots of things companies (and other organizations, including churches) do to motivate people aren’t really helpful. The really helpful piece for me was the idea that extrinsic motivators don’t do much good when people are working on complex, creative problems. It was big for me because I’ve spent a fair amount of time in different arenas trying to solve those kinds of creative problems without the right sorts of motivation. My bad, and dumb to boot. (Most of that revolved around my artistic work as a writer.)

And I totally get where you’re coming from with the book not being about looking for “hand of God” types of extrinsic motivators. Point taken. My sense of interacting with God (and this is just me) is that it’s mostly intuitive and faith-based (duh) working in concert with stuff that’s actually going on, so that’s it a bit more like watching what’s going on and responding as best you can, somehow having faith that there’s more in play than just my agency and freedom. But from my point of view, the agency and freedom demands action and responsibility, and there’s where the intrinsic motivators have to come into play. Have to.

As far as Christ goes, I think what my friend was getting at is that there’s great freedom in the receipt of love. I’m with you…most people of faith (and I are one) that move in really beautiful ways through the world aren’t motivated by what God might “do to them.” It’s in response to a love they (by faith) have received. And if you’ve ever been in love, you know that being loved can be a pretty big motivator. Maybe that’s how it plays to the conversation?

Anyway, again, thanks for stopping by and joining in…

Peace,

Jeff

I’m really not sure what that has to do about motivation theories anyway. I rarely meet well rounded people who are motivated by what god/jesus will or will not do to them. These reasons are usually used to excuse their actions that they choose not to claim ownership for. I take ownership for everything I do and everything that happens to me… it has set me free and motivates me daily. No guiding hand here.

Jeff – Thank you for the insightful resource. I share your journey as an artist of faith, and am diligently seeking God’s face, looking to Him for my next “assignment”. As I “wait”, I work; studying, reading, praying, writing, and making meaning.