Many things motivate people to become successful in life. The first things most people think of when they consider what motivates them is the positive encouragement they received from important people in their lives, such as their teachers, parents, friends and coaches. The smiley face drawn by a teacher next to the A on an excellent paper or the pat on the back and quiet “Great game,” from a coach who you knew only gave praise when it had been earned: these things have a way of staying with you and providing motivation and validation sometimes for the rest of your life.
But motivation can also be derived from the complete opposite situation: people who criticize you or tell you that you will never amount to anything. Comedienne and talk show host Ellen Degeneres puts it this way: “My haters are my motivators.” I have always been intrigued by how powerful a motivating force these negative comments and attitudes can create. It also always surprises me how long this motivation can linger in the lives of the recipients of these negative comments.
A friend of mine who is in our business witnessed this first-hand. He was at a Friday afternoon meeting with one of his clients, a hugely successful developer. They were sitting at the bar at a posh restaurant located in one of the many high-rise office buildings the client owned, enjoying the magnificent view of the city afforded by the building’s prime location. After several libations, my friend finally gathered up his courage, looked at this famous, fabulously wealthy man had who worked his way up from nothing and asked him, “What drove you to do all this?”
“Steve Johnson,” the client replied. “Who was he?” my friend asked. His client replied, “My junior high school basketball coach. The SOB said I was too short and cut me from the team.”
Have a great weekend,
Ro