Aren't motivation and self-interest cousins if not siblings?

To say "I am motivated..." to do something sounds like a good thing.  On the other hand when we say someone acted in their own self-interest, it can be seen as a negative or selfish thing.

What they share in come is in both cases there is a REASON to do SOMETHING.  

The current economic situation has brought a great deal of change and uncertainty to most of our lives. When faced with even simple choices or decisions, in this environment, it is very tempting and often thought safer to make no decision rather than to risk making a bad choice.

In better times we may have been more inclined to lean into the future and try new things. Today we seek safety.

Here is where both motivation and self-interest come in - both in good ways.

In better times we don't need to think much about our reasons for doing things because we have a general belief that times are good and things will work out.  In trying times, we need to have a REASON to move ahead.  We need to be MOTIVATED.

The fact is, beneath every motivation lies SELF-INTEREST. Have you ever been motivated to do something for no reason?  I think not.  And whatever that reason is, it is based in something you care about or have an interest in - self-interest, and isn't that a bad thing only when the motivation is thoughtless - without consideration of the costs and impacts of others?  

I think this is an unusually good time to motivate people. We are less inclined to move ahead unprompted. But with a little motivation, perhaps we can get the wheels of progress and growth started again.

How do you motivate others - or yourself for that matter?  Think about your interests - or their interests if you are trying to motivate others.  What do people want or need? Reminding ourselves of the things that are important to our fulfillment may be enough to motivate us to restart or begin the actions that will lead to fulfillment.

There has been a certain level of distaste to the term "What's in it for me?" because for the longest time that question was asked as a means to avoid doing something that does benefit me selfishly.  We have the opportunity today to turn that saying on it's ear and use it in a positive and productive way.  "What's in it for me?" can be the first question to find the areas of life where we are willing and able to find courage to move ahead to find fulfillment, despite change and uncertainty.

Now... what does all of this have to do with community?

This website is called MySimpleCommunity.  The concept of simple community was developed in better economic times - and years of greater overall confidence.  The concepts in Simple Community are even more valuable now than in better times.  But the words Simple Community do nothing to motivate action to build it.  

But we are getting there.

"Revive Community" comes much closer and I hope sparks even the smallest thing in you to say it is in your best self-interest to invest in your community.  I hope it motivates you.

Yet another 

"Grow your neighborhood" is a more direct call to action. You get to define your neighborhood and how you grow it.  But the stronger your support system, the more motivated you are likely to be to do the tough things it will likely take for us to move ahead.  And it will be much easier to move ahead as a community, a neighborhood, than if we feel we have to go it alone.

Without motivation we are likely to play it safe - and do nothing.