Here I am, at my computer, drinking a cup of - you guessed it - green tea. As I was considering the subject matter for the day, I wandered into the kitchen and decided to do my health a favour by brewing some antioxidants in the form of green tea.

Why choose this tea? Admittedly, green tea was foremost in my mind. I was getting this news flash across my mental screen "Green tea is good for you." So green tea was not only prominent, but was also motivating. I was motivated by my thirst. I was motivated by concern for my health. Besides, I like the taste - it brings me simple pleasure.

This brings us to the question "What makes a motivator motivating?" Why are people motivated by praise or money or fame? Moreover, why do some people seem indifferent or immune to such motivators? As well, some things seem to lose their motivating power with use and over time. Why does this happen?

Psychologists have wrestled with this question. And it’s not as simple as it may first appear. A motivator may be a valued thing or an opportunity to do a preferred thing. Sometimes its motivating value may be relative to the context at any given time. But that only answers the question "What is it?" The ‘why’ of a motivator has to do with its assigned meaning or value to the individual. This explains why motivators can gain or lose their effectiveness over time and situations. This also explains why motivators are highly personal.

Consider today the what and the why of the motivators in your life.

For Reflection:

• What are your prime motivators in life? Pleasure? Money? Fame? Power? Affirmation? Morals? Relationships? Creativity? Issues of Justice or Peace?
• What happens as you acquire these objects of your affection? Do they satisfy, or do you just raise the stakes or change them?