Motivation Theory

Motivation Theory Essay

The theory that I have chosen is "drive". Drive is the third grand theory. (definition) I will relate how this theory would and would not be applicable to my work situations. I will then develop a new theoretical model of motivation that can be applied to today's work environment.

In 1987, I attended Fashion Institute of Technology to study textile design because I always wanted to work in the fashion industry. Even at an early age, that was my dream because my mother was a seamstress and I loved all the beautiful clothes she had made for me. However, after three semesters, I dropped out because of financial difficulty. I left school but still wanted to do something related to fashion. Therefore, I attended cosmetology school in 1989 and graduated that same year. I accepted a job offer to work at a salon as a hair colorist assistant. Before I was hired, I was told that the head hair colorist that I will be assisting would train me to be a colorist. I was promised I was ecstatic. I was looking forward to all these trainings. I was willing to work hard and stay late hours to learn the ways of a colorist.

After working at the salon for a year, I learn nothing about hair coloring other than shampooing & servicing clients. When I asked the colorist when she is going to train me, she would say that I am not ready yet. Often times I asked her what formula she used on the client's hair and she would tell me that the formula is complicate and that I would not understand. As frustrated as I am with her not training me, I did not want to give up. I really wanted to be a hair colorist. I was hoping she would eventually teach me. In addition, I thought she would be the best person to train me because she had 30 years of experience.

I stayed at this job for five years because I was scared and did not want to spend another five years somewhere else and do the same thing all over again. Furthermore, I did not have any other experience or skills. I felt I was at a dead end job and did not have anywhere to go. Nonetheless, on April 1, 1993, I lost my salon job because she decided that she no longer needed me. I never forget that day because I cried and was scared. I felt my whole world had fallen apart because I did not have any other skills except working in a salon. I was unemployed and did not have the will to find another salon job nor the drive to continue to pursue colorist.

The following week after I was discharged, I went to apply for unemployment and the interviewer had asked me if I would be interested in attending school. She said the