[Ilya]

Originally Posted by Shamou

Here, in North America, when we use the word “motivated” we don’t only mean that you will work toward achieving something… we mean that you will do “outstanding” effort and deploy inordinate amount of energy toward getting or achieving something… and have the courage, will and energy to do it…

I don't see contradiction here. If look at my post I specifically noted, that desire to satisfy the basic needs should not be called motivation.
Ok, here, in Europe and Asia motivation means an additional pull or a push (or a kick) that a person needs to overcome some obstacle. Turning a success into exceptional success can be such an obstacle.

And you can achieve it through will, energy boost which in turn can be achieved through motivation.

My point is that most of the obstacles arise from the lack of knowledge and skill, not from the lack of energy or will. And providing knowledge and training is more efficient (even if as effective) than providing motivation.

Let me use a metaphor. Imagine a car race. To win the race, you need an exceptional performance. But those who win the race, do it because of their skills and the skills of mechanics. It is useless to put a more powerful engine on a car of unskilled driver. He will just crash faster.

And even if we put a rocket engine on a skilled driver's car and he wins, this victory will be bittersweet. It will not be an achievement of human spirit, it will not be elegant, it will not be artful. It will be the victory of brute force, of Goliath. And since ancient times we favor Davids over Goliaths.
We consider genius the person who does exceptional things with little perceived effort, not by iron will and persistance. We respect hardworking achievers, but we admire geniuses. I think this is universally true, North America or not.

Of course my quote would not work if it was addressed to people who are not seeking to be motivated… but it will do wonders for people who want to be motivated so that they can reach the higher echelons of success…

Maybe. I see what you mean. I think I just overgrew such kind of shocking and fear based motivation. The only motivation for me to do anything is to fulfill my purpose as much as possible.
But I see how this can shake somebody up, if they are stuck in some negative state. Still, as with good words and a Colt, motivation with teaching works better then just motivation. Without actionable outlet this motivation can be a beginning of a vicious cycle.

I remember, how such quotes brought me into excited state, I would run around wishing to do anything, but lacking a next action. In a few days I would burn out and crash into depression. To get out, I would read another motivational book and the cycle would repeat. Maybe this was the beginning of me as self-help junkie.

Fortunately, I discovered training seminars, when people would get information and would excersise while getting whatever motivation was needed. Results were apparent within weeks.

This led me to lower the rank of the purely motivational products compared to learning ones.

A motivator is like a coach… his purpose is to get the most out of his subjects… and you don’t get to be a good coach or motivator by pampering you players or students… passionate people will respond to a passionate message… and nothing else… and that is why my quote, in the proper time and perspective, is very effective…

Yes, but at the start of your topic, you address this quote to forum members. And judging from mixed reaction this was not the proper time and perspective for everyone. And I can't say that those who reacted negatively are not passionate about making money.

And as a side-note. I find coaching metaphor in personal development a dangerous one. Coaches of the professional sport are among the greatest soul-thieves the people ever knew. They seduce the young people who exercise for health and fitness with fame and success that professional sports can bring. They also seduce the parents. Then, as you correctly describe it - they get the most out of their subjects. Yes, some of the sportsmen get the fame and money. But most are left with ruined health, very specialized life experience, adrenaline addiction and hurt ego at the age of 40 (at best). At that point they have few choices in front of them. One of the choices is to become a coach... and continue the cycle.
The worst part is that the sportsmen do not get to know what their life purpose is until it is too late.
I know that professional sports are a huge part of North American culture and the best achievers do get their millions and fame.
Still I wouldn't use sport coach mentality for PD without major adjustments.

It is also interesting how your use of word passion here connects to the discussion in other thread. The passion expressed in the quote does not seem very love-based to me.

I, personally would be a lot more motivated is someone told me… "If you don’t succeed it is because you are either too lazy or stupid…" then if that same person told me… "Do your best… but if you don’t succeed… you will have the satisfaction of having tried…"

It is funny. Your second quote would work for me better. And it did some years before. But in a slightly different form: "The one who aims at the sun, is sure to miss, but he is as sure to hit higher then the one who aims at a bush."

I think the difference boils down to two modes of motivation: "away" motivation and "towards" motivation. I was brought up as an "away" person and worked a lot to develop the other mode. I guess, I've suceeded, since away motivation does not work for me as well as it did before.