Motive

Who? What? Where? When? Why? We are taught early in school that a good news story addresses these five basic questions. The first four are relatively easy to research and can be summarized in a short space. Of course, each answer can be expounded upon and take up more space, but the essence of the inquiry is still basic.

When it comes to addressing the question "Why?" everything changes. To tackle the "why" question requires you get behind the basics and begin to explore the inner workings. Causal behavior comes into play. Motive fascinates us. Motive can be shocking and it can be inspiring. When we understand motive we better understand the person and the reason for the action. The first four aforementioned questions, for the most part, involve objective data. The "Why" question, however, surrounds us with the intrigue of subjective hypotheses. Conjecture comes into play and quickly we discover many times that rarely are there clear motives. It simply is more complex than that.

For the purpose of this post an offer is extended to you to take some deliberate time and ask yourself "why" you do a lot of the things you do. What motivates you? Is there an attempt to emulate a role model? Does compulsive behavior factor in? Where is the matter of competitive tendencies? Is there any evidence of the need to vicariously accomplish something? Are we trying to measure up to someone else's expectations of us?

A poor motive creates the probability of an unimportant outcome. On the other hand, a lofty motive, regardless of grandeur, significantly improves the chances for a valuable outcome. Life is too short for putzing with the inconsequentials. Dream big. Make a difference. You are worth it and we will all be better for it.