how to motivate someone?
The story
Being 27 and having always admired my older brother, who has built a remarkable career, it’s hard to see him struggle to find motivation at work. He's always been the overachiever, the one with the Midas touch in the corporate world. But lately, he seems to have hit a plateau, and it's tearing him apart. He used to love his work, thrived on the challenges that came with being a senior VP at a major tech firm, and could always see the "bigger picture." But now, it’s almost as if he’s lost his "vision board." I'm genuinely at a loss trying to figure out how to motivate him, and I find myself questioning, have I ever been truly motivational myself? 🤔
I've always believed motivation is like that surge of adrenaline that propels you forward. However, it seems my brother has overdosed on it in the past, and now his reserves are empty. Should I remind him of the countless TED Talks we've watched, where experts such as Simon Sinek emphasize the importance of "starting with why"? Would that work, or is it too clichéd? I can't help but wonder what his "why" might be right now. Sharing personal stories can occasionally spark motivation, but whenever I start reminiscing about the days he would narrate how he closed million-dollar deals, he cringes. The memory probably feels like a distant dream. It makes me ponder, can we still ignite the same fire with mere recollections?
"Communication is key" is a phrase that rings in my head, akin to a mantra. But every time I attempt to broach this sensitive subject, he shrugs it off with a dismissive wave and changes the topic to movies or politics. It's puzzling because this isn't the brother I grew up looking up to; he wasn’t one to shy away from hard conversations. I once read in an article by Harvard Business Review that a supportive environment and professional coach could restore dwindling motivation, but suggesting that feels like walking on eggshells. How do you recommend such resources without making it seem like you’re overstepping? Do I suggest books instead? 📚
Perhaps the work-life balance equation needs reevaluating. My brother's career has been marked by unwavering dedication, sometimes at the cost of personal time. I recall instances where family get-togethers were subtly interrupted by work calls, and he pulled away into another room under the guise of "just one email." Reflecting on this makes me question, could this lack of personal downtime have compounded into a formidable barrier against motivation? Recent trends in workplace culture advocate for "mental health" days, and maybe I should encourage him to explore that avenue. But does one just "push pause" on responsibilities without feeling a sense of guilt or abandonment?
In facing such challenges, asking for advice seems natural, yet solutions aren't always clear-cut. Everyone has moments when motivation evaporates like a benign cloud on a breezy day; it’s just my brother hasn't experienced this before. I’ve read countless anecdotes of people who found their zest by exploring new hobbies or volunteering. Perhaps motivating others starts with oneself; sometimes, it’s all about nurturing an intrinsic motivation that circumvents external validation. As I endeavor to support him, I can't help but introspect — am I helping him unveil a hidden facet of his potential, or merely trying to reignite a spark that should burn of its own accord? So, dear reader, any thoughts on how you might navigate this delicate terrain of motivating someone who once knew no limits???
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Points of view
sounds like your brother's experiencing a classic case of burnout, which is surprisingly common in high-pressure roles like his. he's probably just overwhelmed. a strategic pause might realign his focus and reignite his intrinsic drive; consider prompting him to explore professional development or mentorship opportunities. 🤔
communication can be delicate, but you might pave the way for meaningful conversations by initiating small, indirect dialogues first. it's often in the subtle exchanges that true revelations occur. appreciate your concern for his well-being but remember to keep boundaries intact.
also, work-life balance is more crucial than ever. encourage him to take a mental health day. it can do wonders for his morale. you're on the right track supporting him like this, and it's commendable—just don't lose sight of your well-being in the process. hang in there!
I totally get where you're coming from; it sounds like your brother's in a really tough spot right now. It's honestly hard to see someone we look up to struggle with motivation, especially when they've always been the one to break barriers. Talking about TED Talks and stuff like that might seem simple, but sometimes those pieces of advice click at the right moment, you know? 🤔 I remember my own slump last year, and what helped me was actually picking up a hobby. It's wild how something totally unrelated to work can ignite some sort of motivation surge!
You mentioned communication being key, which I totally agree with! But man, it can be tricky bringing up certain topics without feeling intrusive. Have you tried talking to him while doing something together? Like watching a movie or just cooking? I find it eases the tension when it's not too direct. 😊 Books are always a great shout too; maybe leave a couple around and see if he picks 'em up.
I really feel you on that work-life balance bit; it’s heavy stuff. I’ve seen the effects of that firsthand with a friend who was in a similar situation and didn't even realize how deep they were in until they took a break. Maybe just press pause for a moment? It’s a brave call, but super necessary sometimes. Hang in there with your brother—sounds like you're doing all the right things!!!
it's interesting that you think reminding your brother of TED Talks or books might shake his motivation back to life, but don't you think he could be beyond those typical solutions? sometimes, when someone's lost their drive, the usual advice feels more like adding noise rather than offering a solution. has he opened up about what specifically makes him cringe when you talk about past successes? it could provide insight.
i feel like suggesting professional coaching might seem off to you, but it's often a game-changer for reigniting someone's passion. you mentioned mental health days like they're a magic fix, but in the corporate world, pulls like that can be tricky without addressing the core issue. maybe re-evaluate what's really draining him instead of patching things temporarily. isn't it possible that without addressing the root cause, these surface-level suggestions could just prolong his struggle 🤔?
it seems like you're trying too hard with the whole TED Talks angle. you have to realize that not everyone's going to be struck by inspiration with the same old "Start with Why" rhetoric; it's like you're ignoring that his situation might be more complex. it's doubtful those past stories of success are useful now if he cringes at them.
let's face it, communication is indeed key, but other clichéd advice isn't the be-all-and-end-all here. the idea of "just one email" eating into personal time shows the problem's depth. "Communication is key" only works if both sides are open to it, and clearly, he's dodging the hard talks. maybe he's just done with that kind of environment. ever consider he might need something radically different to reignite his motivation rather than empty pep talks? 🤔
oh man, i feel this so much; it's like you're living my own life right now. my brother's in a similar spot, always been the overachiever in a big finance company. it's exhausting seeing someone who's always been on top of their game suddenly hit a wall. you said it, motivation is like a tricky fuel, and once you've run on the high for too long, it just dries up or something;; been there with him, and it’s hard to know what to say without sounding like a broken record.
totally agree about the work-life balance thing. it's real! people think you can just keep going forever, but no one's a machine, right??? my brother started small, just tried taking an afternoon off once in a while, but even that felt like a giant leap. not sure what the solution is, but you're doing the right thing by being there for him. you're not alone in this, even when answers don’t come easy.
i get what you're saying, but i'm not sure constantly pushing the motivation issue is the way to go;; sometimes people just need space to process their feelings without pressure. his drive might come back on its own with time. all those TED Talks and books can feel like you're just throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks, but that approach might not address his deeper concerns.
work-life balance is definitely a piece of the puzzle, but it seems like there could be more underlying issues he's dealing with. given his role as a senior VP, perhaps the monotony of the corporate environment is what's wearing him down. it's important to consider that maybe the traditional motivational avenues won't have the desired impact on him; constantly reminding him of past successes might just add to the pressure. sometimes stepping back and allowing him to find his path might be more beneficial than actively trying to ignite the spark. ever thought that what he really needs is a major shift rather than old tricks of the trade????
i get where you're coming from, but i think you're overthinking the whole motivation thing. sometimes people just go through phases. your brother might just need time to reset. it's not uncommon to feel stuck after reaching certain career heights; maybe he's just figuring out what's next.
i don't think pushing TED Talks and stuff like that's going to really help. it might be more about him finding what makes him happy outside work too. a new hobby or just taking some time off can work wonders. people often find inspiration in unexpected places, you know? keep supporting him, but don't stress too much. he'll probably find his way back to the things he loves. 😊
i totally get your frustration; it’s tough seeing someone so talented lose steam. been there myself with a friend who's a real whiz in software development, and it’s like they just hit a wall. motivation just isn’t something you can force. your brother might benefit from professional coaching, but it's tricky suggesting that without sounding pushy. 🤔
reminding him of past achievements is nice, but it might backfire if it feels like added pressure. work-life balance is huge, and maybe he needs to step back to see the bigger picture. i suggested a mental health break to my friend, and it worked wonders. pushing pause is a scary move, but it can be super rewarding. you’re doing your best by being supportive, and that counts for a lot. just hang in there.
man, I totally get the struggle, but honestly, sounds like you're making this more complicated than it needs to be. your brother might just need some space instead of all the TED Talks and books. not everything needs a deep reason, you know??? ever thought he might find his groove by just chilling out and stepping back a bit? 🤔
“Motivation is like a shower, it doesn’t last,” so maybe instead of stressing, let him find his own rhythm. pushing the past successes might just add stress. what if he needs to discover something totally fresh and new to get that spark going again? just back off a little and let him figure it out his way. you can still be there for support without overdoing it. he’ll get there! 😊
I understand your concern, but perhaps you're overemphasizing the traditional approaches to motivation. Your brother might be experiencing a common issue among high achievers; burnout. Rather than inundating him with talks and books, perhaps it's time to explore whether his interests have shifted.
One wonders if his lack of motivation might be an indicator of a deeper need for change or reevaluation of his current career path? Motivation can be ephemeral and trying to rekindle it using past successes may inadvertently apply unwarranted pressure. Could it be that he requires a significantly different challenge to reignite his passion??? Your support is invaluable, but maybe allowing him to navigate this process independently will yield greater insight.
I see where you're coming from, but perhaps you're complicating the situation more than necessary. Your brother's decline in motivation might not be something that requires a deep existential dive. People change, interests evolve, and sometimes past strategies no longer work.
I experienced something similar when I hit a plateau in my career, and pushing those old motivational talks felt redundant; what actually helped was shifting focus entirely to new projects. Maybe your brother needs a more substantial pivot rather than constant reminders of past achievements. He might be experiencing burnout, and focusing too much on motivation can sometimes backfire.
Perhaps, consider if he wants to explore a different path altogether. His motivation might naturally return when he's not pressured into finding it. You're doing your best, but try not to overstep—sometimes space is the greatest gift.
i understand your concern, but you might be overemphasizing traditional motivational tactics. "Success isn't final; failure isn't fatal," and sometimes what we really need is a fresh perspective. your brother's lack of motivation might not be as dire as it seems; maybe it's a sign that he's ready for new challenges.
i went through a similar phase, and it was a shift in focus that reignited my passion. perhaps he just needs time and space to explore different aspects of his career or even personal projects. keep being supportive, but let him find his path at his own pace. pressure doesn't always produce the best results, and sometimes stepping back can lead to great breakthroughs. 😊
I completely resonate with your story, and it's challenging to see someone you admire struggle with motivation. You've highlighted the difficulty of losing sight of one's "vision board," and it's crucial to address this issue thoughtfully. Sometimes we overestimate the power of past accomplishments, but they can feel like distant dreams.
It's natural to question how to reignite that intrinsic motivation; perhaps the question isn't about finding external solutions but understanding what's truly meaningful to him now? You've mentioned work-life balance, and it seems vital—could creating more personal time help in restoring his lost drive? Encouraging mental health days can be a significant step, but how does one do that without imposing more guilt or stress on him??? Offering your support and being there for him during this time is invaluable; it might be the foundation he needs to bounce back. 😊