The Extent Of Success In life Is Determined by the Focus On Our Unique Attributes, but…

By Mwangi Wanjumbi- Newtimes BS Chief Strategist, Trainer & Researcher

The entire Kenyan media is currently inundated by discussions on the remuneration of the members of the 11th parliament. That is just two months since elections that would be followed by conduct of honorable duties as expected. Instead, their behavior, outbursts and even threats to national institutions actually confirm that the majority were motivated by nothing else, other than the monetary rewards previously attached to the honorable positions.

Now, they are completely in denial of the current truth. Yes, one is not worthy being a member of parliament without flashy limousines, leafy residence and all that goes with class in Kenya, as they say. No wonder, our legislators are ranked as some of the highest paid in the whole world. Imagine this from a poor nation!!

In fact, listening to their arguments presents a worrying picture of the theory of motivation and success, as we all know it. But, since people have different perspectives about success in life, it may be worthwhile decoding it, for us all to be reasoning from informed viewpoints. This theory is probably understood better if we can critically analyze the ideas of Abraham Maslow. His studies on motivation are relevant today just like they were, when first conceived in the 1940s.

This popular hypothesis that is largely referred to as the basic theory of human needs, categorizes them into 5 levels. The first one is the need for food, water and anything else that may be required by the body itself, thus deriving the classification of physiological or bodily needs. The second level is termed as security needs, which include shelter, clothing, healthcare and a job for taking care of these needs.

The third level is about emotional needs, which largely revolve around relationships with family, friends, work colleagues and the society at large. This far, it is important to note that challenged fulfillment of all the needs listed is a great source of stress in our lives. Thus, we are unlikely to be settled in the event of failure to meet those needs. That does not discriminate any class of people in the society. All of us are certainly expected to meet those needs, differing only on the magnitude.

Higher up we find the 4th level that is referred to as self esteem or recognition needs. That is where people tend to feel as if they have succeeded in life. This is so especially if the society or market place recognizes them for their contribution and appropriately rewards them, one way or the other. Our parliamentarians somehow fall in this category. Likewise, anybody who has surpassed the first three will also be said to have successively achieved this 4th level.

The 5th Level is the highest of them all and is referred to as self actualization. It is mostly achieved by people of extraordinary character. It has little or nothing to do with monetary rewards or inclinations. The need is largely about becoming the best in what one is good at and passionate about, especially when it revolves around service to humanity.

One may even venture into greatness without any premeditation. Many known cases of self actualization have ended up becoming national and global heroes, even during our times. Good examples are Mother Theresa, Professor Wangari Mathaai and Nelson Mandela just to list a few. One common denominator amongst such people is that they are revered for their passion and commitment to their course, regardless of the thoughts of those around them.

Unfortunately, the Maslows hierarchy of needs theory is said to be challenged for one thing. Getting to the top of the hierarchy and staying there rarely happens. Most people end up going down, a situation that is perceived as failure. That is indeed true and can easily be demonstrated.

Though a global environmental icon, Professor Wangari Mathaai can’t be said to have been successful in politics. She only managed to secure one term as a legislator for Tetu constituency in Nyeri. On her second attempt, she was convincingly defeated by her rival, a factor that seemed un befitting of her international stature. Naturally, she could not have been excited of this failure that seemed to defy the logic of many analysts.

Why people are challenged in maintaining the upward trend as envisaged in the Ma slows hierarchy of needs, has been the preoccupation of many researchers and motivational theorists. Not many answers have been forthcoming though. Actually, most people oscillate between the first three levels. Continued stay in the 4th level is also not sustained for long by the majority. Venturing into the 5th level therefore becomes a pipe dream, if at all. Why so?

Continued research indicates that most people can actually venture into the 5th level and stick there. Incidentally, there may be no magic involved. Why? In my teachings on motivation, I have for a long time been taking people through an interesting test. The expected answer for people’s motivation to work is amongst others, principally to pursue their talents or passion. But, how many people take these two attributes seriously? Like our legislators, most people are guided by money and most of the times nothing else. They end up being enslaved, some for a lifetime, by the very weaknesses that they are supposed to be tackling.

Under such circumstances, they put the cart before the horse or the eventual result before the efforts. Who then will recognize and reward another before being fully satisfied that the results will be delivered. Realistically, the performer’s motivation is always negatively affected, whenever the focus is on the monetary rewards only. Likewise, the employer is disoriented by the attitude of the performer. It becomes difficult to recognize or reward him/her appropriately. Ironically, those guided by the wrong attributes end up wasting their inborn abilities, which would uniquely help them to contribute to the welfare of humanity.

Conversely, those people who are guided by their talents and passion end up effortlessly and enthusiastically, meeting the needs of the market/society. They are motivated by the need for meeting whatever set goals, which they more often than not, effortlessly exceed. Who will not recognize and adequately reward such achievers? More still, they are by nature of their motivation conscientious people, who will mostly be guided by sometimes strongly held moral values. Do you not observe that in most internationally acclaimed personalities?

The other considerations that are attributable to success in our lives are foursome and are referred to as intelligence’s. They revolve around mental, emotional, physical and spiritual intelligence. The four resemble a conveyor belt in a factory. You can also consider them as 4 compartments of a car wheel. Any defect in any one of the compartments negatively affects the others, therefore inhibiting the desired motion. In other words, the aptness of the four intelligences determines the levels of achievement in our work engagements. Don’t they?

The next time you put money before considering your likely value addition, be sure to remember this piece. Most likely, you will change your mind. Won’t you?

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