Motivating Self and Others Thriving with Social Purpose, Life Meaning, and the Pursuit of Core Personal Goals

This book describes the essential nature of human motivation by integrating the best ideas and evidence from motivational and evolutionary science. In doing so, the authors explain how the cultivation of goal-life alignment and 'thriving with social purpose' motivational patterns can inspire optimal functioning and enhance life meaning. Readers are provided with a comprehensive framework for guiding research and intervention efforts along with motivational principles designed to summarize the major themes in effective efforts to motivate yourself and those you wish to help or encourage. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of life meaning in empowering our motivational systems and protecting us from downward spirals of disappointment and suffering. Compelling evidence is provided to support the view that social purpose is as fundamental as self-interest in human motivational systems. The authors also focus on the catalytic role of social purpose in enabling humans to soar above all other species.

1. Motivation and Optimal Functioning: Making the Most of Our Natural Gifts; 2. Self-Direction: How Nature Has Equipped You to Survive, with Well-Being; 3. Core Personal Goals: The Leaders Within You; 4. Motivational Systems Theory: The Leadership Team in Motivational Headquarters; 5. Thriving with Social Purpose: Human Motivation at Its Best; 6. Evolutionary Origins of Social Purpose: Human Nature on the Other Side of the Cooperation Divide; 7. Life Meaning: Affirming the Role of TSP and Goal-Life Alignment in Optimal Human Functioning; 8. Guiding Principles for Motivating Self and Others: Pathways to Optimal Human Functioning; 9. Your Toolbox for Motivating Self and Others: Figures, Formulas, and Frameworks You Can Use to Enhance Effectiveness, Well-Being, and Life Meaning in Self and Others.

Martin E. Ford is Professor and Senior Associate Dean in the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University, USA. He received two APA early career awards during his 13 years at Stanford, where he created Motivational Systems Theory.
Peyton R. Smith developed and delivered leadership training worldwide for a decade prior to his retirement and after over 30 years of engineering and sales management, primarily at Digital Equipment Corporation and Microsoft Corporation. His evidence-based leadership and executive coaching programs have been recognized with numerous awards.