I am not ashamed to say it; I still read Blondie every day in my local newspaper. And a little over a week ago I came across a strip which drives home the point that empty phrases do not motivate people.
The opening panel of the strip has Mr. Dithers talking to Dagwood saying, "Maybe this new motivational poster I put up will get things going around here." The poster itself said, "Any goal worth reaching is worth your best."
But in the second panel Dagwood, who has been portrayed over the years as the ultimate slacker at work, is back at his desk looking a poster that is on a topic that gets him going. It reads, "Any sandwich worth making is worth eating."
And Dagwood delivers our motivational lesson of the day—"Actually, I think motivation is a personal thing."
Generic phrases about goals likely will not get the desired results. But if there is a specific target, that is what will get people working towards the desired outcome.
