Motivation for work

Most people have to work for a living. Earning the money to maintain a comfortable and secure lifestyle would be on most peoples' list of reasons for working. Experts say there are many reasons we want to work.

One approach to understanding the motivation to work is to examine it in terms of psychological theory. Abraham Maslov has developed a theory of motivation based on a hierarchy of five primary human needs, where each level must be satisfied before the next level is fully operational.

1. Physiological needs.

These are the most basic. The need for adequate food, clothing, and shelter are survival requirements that until they are satisfied, take precedence over other needs. If you are worrying about where you next meal is coming from, you probably aren't spending much time contemplating the more abstract aspects of life.

2. Safety needs.

These become important once survival needs are met. If personal safety is seriously at risk, this becomes a dominant focus of one's energy and effort. Safety needs are often emergent when you face the challenges of an unfamiliar environment, as when you first start college, or when you begin a new job. As you become more familiar with the environment and feel safer, these needs recede in importance.

3. Belonging needs.

These are motivational factors once physiological and safety needs are satisfied. This level represents the more social elements of human life. Belonging can be realised in many different ways. Some people meet this need by joining clubs, teams, churches, fraternities, and sororities. Others get a sense of community from the interaction with fellow students in their classes, association with roommates, or continued contact with family.

4. Self-esteem needs.

Become dominant once a sense of belonging is established. A feeling of self-worth, and confidence in one's abilities and capacities, are important at this level of motivation.

5. Self-actualization needs.

Are at the pinnacle of Maslow's hierarchy. The realisation and fulfillment of one's potential, of one's calling, can only be accomplished at this level of functioning. Realise that your motivation changes during your lifetime.

Because the level of need satisfaction is a dynamic and developmental process, your motivation to work is likely to change as you gain life experience. What is most important at one stage of motivation, recedes in importance once satisfaction of primary need at that level is achieved.

When this occurs, a different source of motivation becomes dominant. In practical terms, this means that the lower your dominant motivation for occupational choice falls within Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the more likely your motivation will change as you grow and develop as a person.

Taken from: News Straits Times - 13 August 2012 (article), Google (images).