So today I did a presentation on personal motivation. I admit I'm probably not the best person for this topic. This morning as I walked into work it was all I could do not to turn around and go home. I'm a big believer that God made yucky gray days (like this morning) so people can stay home in their PJ's curled up reading a book.
In my research for this topic I found a lot of articles and good books on the subject. They recommended things like "reward yourself" or creating incentives at work for people who go above and beyond. They were all great ideas, I suppose, but what I learned was that there are as many ways to motivate someone as there are people in this world. How am I supposed to know what will do the trick for each of my co-workers? (Especially in light of my theory on gray days!)
Fortunately, I came across the most amazing book. It was "The Butterfly Effect" by Andy Andrews. I've been a fan of his since first read "The Noticer" and was excited to get this book. Upon reading it I knew that it would be the basis for my presentation. So as not to risk being sued for copyright infringement, I can't type out my presentation here. But I can summarize some of the main points. I would definitely recommend picking up a copy of the book to read it for yourself!
Basically, the butterfly effect stems from a theory presented by a man named Edward Lorenz. His idea had more to do with the formation of hurricanes, but it was later proven to be true-that every move made by nature and man has a lasting and far-reaching impact. One of my favorite examples from the book was the story of a farmer named Moses. Moses and his wife, Susan, lived on a farm in Missouri. One night a band of radicals burned their farm, stole or killed most of the livestock, and dragged off Susan's best friend, Mary, who was clutching her infant son, George. Moses rode his last remaining horse for miles until he reached a meeting place in Kansas where he traded that last remaining horse for a naked, nearly dead baby George. He walked that baby all the way home, knowing that Mary was surely dead, and promised to take care of him, educate him, and love him like his own. And he did. That could have been the end of the story, but it's not. On the night Moses Carver gave baby George Washington his last name, he flitted his butterfly wings and set the most amazing things in motion. Sure we all know that George Washington Carver studied the peanut. And people even know about his work with the sweet potato. But what most people don't know is that when he was in college, George took a young boy out in the field with him to study plants. That little boy grew up with a love an appreciation for plants that led him to eventually become Secretary of Agriculture. Later, when Henry Wallace became the Vice President of the United States he started a facility that eventually went on to create hybrid forms of corn and wheat that could be grown in dry climates. These plants were grown in places corn and wheat had never been grown before and people who had limited access to food were suddenly growing it for themselves. It's estimated that over 2 billion people have been saved from starvation because of these plants-and all because George Washington Carver took time to instill a love for fauna in 6 year old Henry Wallace.
At one time or another I think most people wonder if they matter, if their life has any impact or meaning beyond their lifetime. Generations after Moses Carver saved that baby boy, 2 billion people are alive because of it. I'm sure that Moses, and probably even George, had no idea that those simple acts would have such far-reaching effects. But it begs the question, what impact will your life have on the future? What unborn people will be impacted because of what you do today? That student you mentor. That cashier you give a friendly smile to. Your own children or nieces or nephews. Who's life will you change that will lead to another change and another and another so that one day, many years after you're gone, the world will be a different, better place because you chose to act today?
PS Chelsea, if you're reading this, the world will be impacted if you do your homework. Get started!! :)
