Sunday, March 21, 2010

"Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us"

GOT to plug another book here (yes, even in the middle of sharing about another book -- my blogging just can't keep up with my reading!).

The title of this blog post is the title of the book, written by Daniel Pink, who also wrote "A Whole New Mind" (about how the right brainers are going to "rule" the future, and save the world).

Here's the synopsis from Amazon:
According to Pink (A Whole New Mind), everything we think we know about what motivates us is wrong. He pits the latest scientific discoveries about the mind against the outmoded wisdom that claims people can only be motivated by the hope of gain and the fear of loss. Pink cites a dizzying number of studies revealing that carrot and stick can actually significantly reduce the ability of workers to produce creative solutions to problems. What motivates us once our basic survival needs are met is the ability to grow and develop, to realize our fullest potential. Case studies of Google's 20 percent time (in which employees work on projects of their choosing one full day each week) and Best Buy's Results Only Work Environment (in which employees can work whenever and however they choose—as long as they meet specific goals) demonstrate growing endorsement for this approach. A series of appendixes include further reading and tips on applying this method to businesses, fitness and child-rearing. Drawing on research in psychology, economics and sociology, Pink's analysis—and new model—of motivation offers tremendous insight into our deepest nature.


I found this book to be uncannily "on" and quite in sync with all that I've been reading, studying and realizing/remembering ... it applies across the board, whether we're talking about business, art, fitness, marriage, child-raising, or world problem solving. Humans need autonomy (freedom to self-direct), meaning/purpose (we've got to see the point, and we *must* make a difference for good, to be happy), and the creative thinking that comes from being in "flow" ...

Our entire institutional systematized world, from business, to school, to higher education, to church, to government -- it's all INeffective -- it ain't workin' folks...! But, you knew that.

Daniel Pink tells us why ... and what we can do about it. Each individually ... and all together.

Now, I could take several blog posts, to disseminate this book ... but I'm going, instead, to just share a video, of Daniel himself sharing his book with a TED audience (I love TED!). I'm watching it myself, to figure out whether there's a part II, or III, but in the meantime, start here with this video:



If it doesn't embed properly, go HERE.

As Daniel says, science is just telling us what we've *already* known in our hearts...!

Let's start inquiring within, and listening!

Shalom, Dena

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Yes! I loved this book! It's very much in line with the Biblical message of grace. I was thrilled to see a totally secular explanation fall so closely in line with the vital, spiritual truth. Pink's book is, among other things, a fresh look at exactly how and why "salvation by law" fails us, not only spiritually, but also in the practical world.