DEFINITION: Motivation is defined as the processes that account for anindividuals intensity, direction, & persistence of effort towardsattaining

a goal.General motivation is considered with efforts towards anygoal, but we narrow our focus on organizational goals. Key elements are : Intensity which is considered with how hard a person tries.This is the element most of us focus on when we talk aboutmotivation. However, high-intensity is unlikely to lead to

Downloaded from a2zmba.blogspot.com favorable job performance outcomes unless the effort ischanneled in a direction that benefits the organization.Therefore, we have to consider the quality of efforts as well asits intensity. Effort that is directed towards, and consistent withthe organizations goals is the kind of effort that we should beseeking. Finally, motivation has a persistence dimension. Thisis a measure of how long a person can maintain their effort.Motivated individuals stay with a task long enough to achievetheir goal. A MYTH OR A SCIENCE? People are inherently lazy. This isnt true. All people arenot inherently lazy; and laziness is more a function of thesituation than an inherent individual character. If this statementis meant to imply that all people are inherently lazy, theevidence strongly indicates the contrary, many people todaysuffer from the opposite affliction-they are overly busy,overworked, and suffer from over exertion. Whether externallymotivated or internally driven, a good portion of the labour force is anything but lazy.Managers frequently draw the conclusion that people arelazy from watching some of their employees, who may be lazyat work.But these same employees are often quite industrious inone or more activities off the job. Peoples need structuresdiffer. Unfortunately, for employers, works often ranks low inits ability to satisfy individual needs. So the same employeewho shirks responsibility on the job may work obsessively onthe conditioning and antique car, maintaining an award-winning garden, perfecting bowling skills