Motivation
By Dr. Selim Erhan, TLT Editor | TLT From the Editor November 2025
Using programmed enthusiasm can create an environment to help channel eagerness to successful outcomes.
Children are very intelligent. They have brilliant minds and are so eager to learn. In a nurturing environment their minds and abilities develop at a rate which is not possible to measure, at least with today’s technology. I had watched studies where they proved major differences between two-month-old and three-month-old babies. The more they are exposed to information the more their brains develop connections. The more they are encouraged to explore the more enthusiastic they get. Of course, it is the parents’ responsibility to create and build an environment that is safe but not restrictive, and to set boundaries but not stop creativity. Teach responsibility, respect and guide them to exist with other genius people in a positive way, use their powers for constructive purposes rather than being destructive.
Parents provide guidance and examples but must make sure their children are also exposed to others so they see different thought patterns from different people such as grandparents, good teachers and good books. This is a very challenging job that needs much thought and attention. But parents are also motivated with unlimited love and the knowledge that they are entrusted with genius small humans that need to build wings with the help of their parents. I think this small model is also true for every level of organization, from small companies to bigger companies to governments.
There are studies that show that adults never lose this desire and potential to learn and to do good things. In one book I read it mentioned that we cannot really motivate people with money and rewards. Motivation to do good and achieve personal satisfaction is already programmed into us. If there is an environment that channels this desire one needs no other outside motivation. In many companies, research institutes and industrial organizations, there are many in the management that use this programmed enthusiasm to create an environment to help channel such eagerness to successful outcomes. Of course, it is the management’s responsibility to open up to ingenuity and individuality but keep this energy more focused toward company goals. It is not an easy job and requires careful planning and diligent follow-up such as developing personal connections. There is another avenue that management can use and foster development—that is creating an environment where employees can benefit and learn from each other but not have to compete.
There is a children’s story that I liked very much which highlights this idea so well. In fact all children’s stories are actually carefully written studies that parents should pay attention to. This one is called Stone Soup.
A wanderer comes to a town with only a stone in his bag and a hungry stomach. As he knocks on doors and asks for some food, he is rejected by all. Then he announces that he will make the most delicious stone soup they have ever tasted. People gather with curiosity. He asks for a large kettle and some water. They bring it. He then starts a fire under the kettle and drops the stone from his bag into the kettle. Then he says that if he had a carrot, it would taste even better. A carrot is brought. The carrot is followed by requests for potatoes, other vegetables, salt and pepper, and at the end the whole town feasts on delicious soup! The mood becomes jubilant.
We also know this from chemistry. The molecules have great potential. All the chemist does is bring the molecules together and provide the right catalyst. It is not an easy job, but we all see wonderful results!
Dr. Selim Erhan is president of Erbur Solutions in Trout Valley, Ill. You can reach him at selim.erhan@outlook.com.