Get Motivated!

JFrankA · 5th September 2009, 07:28 AM

I'm not sure where to put this topic so I put it here because it's about "motivational speaking in business".

On Wednesday, (Sept 9), my office is sending me and eleven other people to this "get motivated" series of speeches from some famous people (and some people who I guess are famous but I've never heard of them...)

The event is outlined here:
http://www.getmotivated.com/city.aspx?a=5092

Now, I may be too cynical or jaded, but I look at this and my first reaction is "geez, since my boss is there and paying for it, I better not fall asleep."

To begin with, I've never bought into "motivational speakers". I've always seen them as cheerleaders. Saying catchphrases and "positive words" and "painting pictures of success" in people's minds, etc, to make them feel, at the moment, that they are motivated, but once reality comes back, it all means nothing.

As to who's speaking, my reaction is "meh". I've never ever heard of Zig Ziglar or Tamara Lowe. I remember seeing Joe Montana play football, but that doesn't mean he's going to "change my life" when I hear him speak. Rudy Guilanni and Laura Bush don't impress me at all. Sorry, they never did.

But the funny thing is that I am interested in hearing what Steve Forbes and Colin Powell have to say. Also, I frequent Ted.com a lot, and I find some very interesting and informative talks on that site. But the difference there is that the TED.com talks are more informative about different things which may motivate you, not strictly about motivating you.

Bare in mind that I do stage hypnosis and stage magic as a side business. I've also done improv and stand up comedy, so I know what to do to draw in an audience and put them on your side.

So to be fair, I am asking myself "am I being too cynical or jaded about this event?" And I'd like your reactions and opinions.

JJM 777 · 5th September 2009, 10:09 AM

Motivated = have a meaning for your life.
Your boss could motivate the employees with a salary raise, but this will be a cheaper solution.

I hope that these comments were helpful and motivating.

blobru · 5th September 2009, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by getmotivated.com

Colin Powell: How to Forge Winning Alliances
Laura Bush: The Secrets to Having Poise Under Pressure
Zig Ziglar [the gold standard in motivation]: How to Get Everything You Want!
Steve Forbes: America 2007: An Insider’s Look at Where Our Economy Is Heading
Tamara Lowe [author of the bestselling, GET MOTIVATED]: 6 “KNOWS” to Get the “YES”
Joe Montana: How to Turn Workplace Stress into Gridiron Success
Rudy Giuliani: unparalleled insights about leading during trying circumstances

Originally Posted by JFrankA

... So to be fair, I am asking myself "am I being too cynical or jaded about this event?" --

Nah.

JFrankA · 5th September 2009, 05:16 PM

Thanks you guys.

I just wanted to be fair...but then I read this little blurb about Zig Ziglar on Wiki. (My bolding below from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zig_Ziglar)

Quote:

In 1970, Hilary Ziglar went into the business of motivational speaking full-time. He often incorporates his strong Christian values into his enthusiastic speaking.

Guess I had no need to worry about me being fair..........

shadron · 5th September 2009, 06:38 PM

Each of the listed people were leaders in one way or another. The real problem is that leadership, as has so often been discovered, is not a general category of knowledge that can be passed from one person to another. The armed forces are organizations that feed, on the most part, from leadership; they have to have it, and go to great pains to find it. Do they put officer candidates before Zig to learn what he knows about salesmanship leading? Did they get Laura, on her days off now that her girls have grown up (so to speak) to pump it to the OCS? Do they want gridiron success (after West Point/Annapolis/ColoSprings is over, natch)? Do they appear to think any of that is relevant? No. In general, they teach their people the real knowledge that is relevant, and then throw them into situations where they have to deliver leadership, and they see what happens. Some of them have it, and some of them don't, and even then some oddballs still make it through who shouldn't have.

If the armed forces know of no magic way to inculcate leadersip, or even to detect its presence in a person, how do you think you'll catch it in a lecture? Like the flu?

jasonpatterson · 5th September 2009, 11:22 PM

What I really find funny about these things is that if they worked, that is, if your boss sending you to this motivational seminar actually motivated you to go to new heights and explore new frontiers and score a touchdown (or whatever) then wouldn't these hyper-motivated individuals be more prone to quitting and striking out on their own?

JFrankA · 6th September 2009, 04:28 AM

I left this out: my boss expects me and the other 11 people to provide a typed summary of what I thought of the seminar and how I would apply the motivational tips in my life.

Professor Yaffle · 6th September 2009, 04:34 AM

No David Brent?

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I AGREE

lionking · 6th September 2009, 05:04 AM

Originally Posted by JJM 777

Your boss could motivate the employees with a salary raise, but this will be a cheaper solution.

I don't know if you are serious or not, but a salary rise is not a good motivator for increased performance.

To the OP, I think the seminar would be interesting and could have some short-term benefit.

jasonpatterson · 8th September 2009, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by JFrankA

I left this out: my boss expects me and the other 11 people to provide a typed summary of what I thought of the seminar and how I would apply the motivational tips in my life.

Do you not have actual work to do? Homework? What a pile of crap.

Delscottio · 10th September 2009, 01:11 PM

I was recently booked up for a motivational talk, ended up skipping it. I couldn't be bothered to go.

AgeGap · 23rd September 2009, 05:02 PM

In Tricks of the Mind, (it's like my freaking Bible) Brown* states that these courses are crap. If you are motivated you just do stuff. Motivated people don't need to get motivated, they just are.

Can't remember if it was Sylvia or Dan who was the author but you should read it sometime.

Kahalachan · 25th September 2009, 03:43 AM

To me this works similarly to woo.

This is for people who are desperate for success and are looking to anything to help them move up the corporate ladder so they'll buy into someone smooth talking them with easy answers.

The reality is "Work hard to get ahead. Sometimes working hard won't pay off like it should and lazy or deceitful people will get ahead of you, but do it anyways cause it's a good character trait to have." End of story.

JFrankA · 25th September 2009, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by Kahalachan

To me this works similarly to woo.

This is for people who are desperate for success and are looking to anything to help them move up the corporate ladder so they'll buy into someone smooth talking them with easy answers.

The reality is "Work hard to get ahead. Sometimes working hard won't pay off like it should and lazy or deceitful people will get ahead of you, but do it anyways cause it's a good character trait to have." End of story.

Well, I went to the seminar and I did the assignment. Since I had to turn it into the big bosses, I wasn't as....graphic...as I wanted to be.

It was pure propaganda. Heavy with Republican, Christian values. Very heavy. There were about twelve speaker in total, but the only the "big named" speakers were of any value. To be honest, Col. Colin Powell was the best and made the most sense.

What I think I'll do is post what I wrote for my bosses, with an insert of what I really wanted to say and post it so you guys can read it, if you're interested.

Mister Agenda · 25th September 2009, 11:57 AM

I got sent to one of these, too. Several of the speakers were trying to get you to buy or sign up for something. At one point it reminded me of a tent revival, the Christian message was so overt.

JFrankA · 25th September 2009, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by Mister Agenda

I got sent to one of these, too. Several of the speakers were trying to get you to buy or sign up for something. At one point it reminded me of a tent revival, the Christian message was so overt.

Yeah, exactly what I went to.

quixotecoyote · 25th September 2009, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by JFrankA

Well, I went to the seminar and I did the assignment. Since I had to turn it into the big bosses, I wasn't as....graphic...as I wanted to be.

It was pure propaganda. Heavy with Republican, Christian values. Very heavy. There were about twelve speaker in total, but the only the "big named" speakers were of any value. To be honest, Col. Colin Powell was the best and made the most sense.

What I think I'll do is post what I wrote for my bosses, with an insert of what I really wanted to say and post it so you guys can read it, if you're interested.

I look forward to it.

CatOfGrey · 27th September 2009, 02:45 PM

Deleted.

Marc39 · 4th October 2009, 09:56 PM

Two mortgages, three car notes, kids' private school and a wife with a Manolo Blahnik addiction are very motivating.

5th September 2009, 07:28 AM	#1
JFrankA Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 2,327	Get Motivated! I'm not sure where to put this topic so I put it here because it's about "motivational speaking in business". On Wednesday, (Sept 9), my office is sending me and eleven other people to this "get motivated" series of speeches from some famous people (and some people who I guess are famous but I've never heard of them...) The event is outlined here: http://www.getmotivated.com/city.aspx?a=5092 Now, I may be too cynical or jaded, but I look at this and my first reaction is "geez, since my boss is there and paying for it, I better not fall asleep." To begin with, I've never bought into "motivational speakers". I've always seen them as cheerleaders. Saying catchphrases and "positive words" and "painting pictures of success" in people's minds, etc, to make them feel, at the moment, that they are motivated, but once reality comes back, it all means nothing. As to who's speaking, my reaction is "meh". I've never ever heard of Zig Ziglar or Tamara Lowe. I remember seeing Joe Montana play football, but that doesn't mean he's going to "change my life" when I hear him speak. Rudy Guilanni and Laura Bush don't impress me at all. Sorry, they never did. But the funny thing is that I am interested in hearing what Steve Forbes and Colin Powell have to say. Also, I frequent Ted.com a lot, and I find some very interesting and informative talks on that site. But the difference there is that the TED.com talks are more informative about different things which may motivate you, not strictly about motivating you. Bare in mind that I do stage hypnosis and stage magic as a side business. I've also done improv and stand up comedy, so I know what to do to draw in an audience and put them on your side. So to be fair, I am asking myself "am I being too cynical or jaded about this event?" And I'd like your reactions and opinions.
	__________________ "No matter where you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Banzai "We are all made of star-stuff." - Carl Sagan "Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious." - unknown "More truth is in a single issue of Mad than a year of Time." - Gord in Toronto

5th September 2009, 05:06 PM	#3
blobru Illuminator Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3,276	Originally Posted by getmotivated.com Colin Powell: How to Forge Winning Alliances Laura Bush: The Secrets to Having Poise Under Pressure Zig Ziglar [the gold standard in motivation]: How to Get Everything You Want! Steve Forbes: America 2007: An Insider’s Look at Where Our Economy Is Heading Tamara Lowe [author of the bestselling, GET MOTIVATED]: 6 “KNOWS” to Get the “YES” Joe Montana: How to Turn Workplace Stress into Gridiron Success Rudy Giuliani: unparalleled insights about leading during trying circumstances Originally Posted by JFrankA ... So to be fair, I am asking myself "am I being too cynical or jaded about this event?" -- Nah.
blobru Illuminator Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3,276	__________________ "Say to them, 'I am Nobody!'" -- Ulysses to the Cyclops "Never mind. I can't read." -- Hokulele to the Easter Bunny

5th September 2009, 05:16 PM	#4
JFrankA Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 2,327	Thanks you guys. I just wanted to be fair...but then I read this little blurb about Zig Ziglar on Wiki. (My bolding below from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zig_Ziglar) Quote: In 1970, Hilary Ziglar went into the business of motivational speaking full-time. He often incorporates his strong Christian values into his enthusiastic speaking. Guess I had no need to worry about me being fair..........
	__________________ "No matter where you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Banzai "We are all made of star-stuff." - Carl Sagan "Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious." - unknown "More truth is in a single issue of Mad than a year of Time." - Gord in Toronto

5th September 2009, 06:38 PM	#5
shadron Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,856	Each of the listed people were leaders in one way or another. The real problem is that leadership, as has so often been discovered, is not a general category of knowledge that can be passed from one person to another. The armed forces are organizations that feed, on the most part, from leadership; they have to have it, and go to great pains to find it. Do they put officer candidates before Zig to learn what he knows about salesmanship leading? Did they get Laura, on her days off now that her girls have grown up (so to speak) to pump it to the OCS? Do they want gridiron success (after West Point/Annapolis/ColoSprings is over, natch)? Do they appear to think any of that is relevant? No. In general, they teach their people the real knowledge that is relevant, and then throw them into situations where they have to deliver leadership, and they see what happens. Some of them have it, and some of them don't, and even then some oddballs still make it through who shouldn't have. If the armed forces know of no magic way to inculcate leadersip, or even to detect its presence in a person, how do you think you'll catch it in a lecture? Like the flu?
	Last edited by shadron; 5th September 2009 at 06:41 PM.

5th September 2009, 11:22 PM	#6
jasonpatterson Philanthropic Misanthrope Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Macedonia, OH Posts: 903	What I really find funny about these things is that if they worked, that is, if your boss sending you to this motivational seminar actually motivated you to go to new heights and explore new frontiers and score a touchdown (or whatever) then wouldn't these hyper-motivated individuals be more prone to quitting and striking out on their own?
	__________________ Sandra's seen a leprechaun, Eddie touched a troll, Laurie danced with witches once, Charlie found some goblins' gold. Donald heard a mermaid sing, Susie spied an elf, But all the magic I have known I've had to make myself. - Shel Silverstein

5th September 2009, 10:09 AM	#2
JJM 777 Muse Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Finland Posts: 779	Motivated = have a meaning for your life. Your boss could motivate the employees with a salary raise, but this will be a cheaper solution. I hope that these comments were helpful and motivating.

6th September 2009, 04:28 AM	#7
JFrankA Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 2,327	I left this out: my boss expects me and the other 11 people to provide a typed summary of what I thought of the seminar and how I would apply the motivational tips in my life.
	__________________ "No matter where you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Banzai "We are all made of star-stuff." - Carl Sagan "Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious." - unknown "More truth is in a single issue of Mad than a year of Time." - Gord in Toronto

6th September 2009, 05:04 AM	#9
lionking Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 12,135	Originally Posted by JJM 777 Your boss could motivate the employees with a salary raise, but this will be a cheaper solution. I don't know if you are serious or not, but a salary rise is not a good motivator for increased performance. To the OP, I think the seminar would be interesting and could have some short-term benefit.
	__________________ You must believe in free will; there is no choice. Isaac Bashevis Singer

8th September 2009, 09:14 PM	#10
jasonpatterson Philanthropic Misanthrope Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Macedonia, OH Posts: 903	Originally Posted by JFrankA I left this out: my boss expects me and the other 11 people to provide a typed summary of what I thought of the seminar and how I would apply the motivational tips in my life. Do you not have actual work to do? Homework? What a pile of crap.
	__________________ Sandra's seen a leprechaun, Eddie touched a troll, Laurie danced with witches once, Charlie found some goblins' gold. Donald heard a mermaid sing, Susie spied an elf, But all the magic I have known I've had to make myself. - Shel Silverstein

10th September 2009, 01:11 PM	#11
Delscottio Critical Thinker Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 348	I was recently booked up for a motivational talk, ended up skipping it. I couldn't be bothered to go.

23rd September 2009, 05:02 PM	#12
AgeGap Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,803	In Tricks of the Mind, (it's like my freaking Bible) Brown* states that these courses are crap. If you are motivated you just do stuff. Motivated people don't need to get motivated, they just are. Can't remember if it was Sylvia or Dan who was the author but you should read it sometime.
AgeGap Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,803	__________________ Cool Uri Geller site by Steve Knight

25th September 2009, 03:43 AM	#13
Kahalachan Muse Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 505	To me this works similarly to woo. This is for people who are desperate for success and are looking to anything to help them move up the corporate ladder so they'll buy into someone smooth talking them with easy answers. The reality is "Work hard to get ahead. Sometimes working hard won't pay off like it should and lazy or deceitful people will get ahead of you, but do it anyways cause it's a good character trait to have." End of story.
Kahalachan Muse Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 505	__________________ For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan

25th September 2009, 05:58 AM	#14
JFrankA Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 2,327	Originally Posted by Kahalachan To me this works similarly to woo. This is for people who are desperate for success and are looking to anything to help them move up the corporate ladder so they'll buy into someone smooth talking them with easy answers. The reality is "Work hard to get ahead. Sometimes working hard won't pay off like it should and lazy or deceitful people will get ahead of you, but do it anyways cause it's a good character trait to have." End of story. Well, I went to the seminar and I did the assignment. Since I had to turn it into the big bosses, I wasn't as....graphic...as I wanted to be. It was pure propaganda. Heavy with Republican, Christian values. Very heavy. There were about twelve speaker in total, but the only the "big named" speakers were of any value. To be honest, Col. Colin Powell was the best and made the most sense. What I think I'll do is post what I wrote for my bosses, with an insert of what I really wanted to say and post it so you guys can read it, if you're interested.
	__________________ "No matter where you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Banzai "We are all made of star-stuff." - Carl Sagan "Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious." - unknown "More truth is in a single issue of Mad than a year of Time." - Gord in Toronto

25th September 2009, 11:57 AM	#15
Mister Agenda Muse Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 906	I got sent to one of these, too. Several of the speakers were trying to get you to buy or sign up for something. At one point it reminded me of a tent revival, the Christian message was so overt.

25th September 2009, 02:25 PM	#16
JFrankA Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 2,327	Originally Posted by Mister Agenda I got sent to one of these, too. Several of the speakers were trying to get you to buy or sign up for something. At one point it reminded me of a tent revival, the Christian message was so overt. Yeah, exactly what I went to.
	__________________ "No matter where you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Banzai "We are all made of star-stuff." - Carl Sagan "Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious." - unknown "More truth is in a single issue of Mad than a year of Time." - Gord in Toronto

25th September 2009, 05:20 PM	#17
quixotecoyote Howling to glory I go Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 6,300	Originally Posted by JFrankA Well, I went to the seminar and I did the assignment. Since I had to turn it into the big bosses, I wasn't as....graphic...as I wanted to be. It was pure propaganda. Heavy with Republican, Christian values. Very heavy. There were about twelve speaker in total, but the only the "big named" speakers were of any value. To be honest, Col. Colin Powell was the best and made the most sense. What I think I'll do is post what I wrote for my bosses, with an insert of what I really wanted to say and post it so you guys can read it, if you're interested. I look forward to it.
	__________________ Ladewig: I'll start worrying about the media's liberal bias the day I hear of labor negotiations described as management demands and union concessions. Thank you for the avatar xkcd.

27th September 2009, 02:45 PM	#18
CatOfGrey Student Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 49	Deleted.
CatOfGrey Student Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 49	Last edited by CatOfGrey; 27th September 2009 at 02:46 PM.

4th October 2009, 09:56 PM	#19
Marc39 Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3,720	Two mortgages, three car notes, kids' private school and a wife with a Manolo Blahnik addiction are very motivating.
Marc39 Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3,720