Sound familiar?
        For hours mother has been after Tommy (12) to turn off his Nintendo game and do his homework. He has not complied even after being told several times.

The Principle of Need
        The story is told of a 16 year old boy who had been lost in the hills around his home for three days. His father finally found him and brought him home in the family pick-up truck. The boy had survived on a couple of candy bars and a little water. Needless to say he was very thirsty and hungry when he got home.
        As he came in the front door he immediately smelled the aroma of bacon and eggs...and waffles cooking in the kitchen. His mother's teary eyes were full of joy as she gave him kisses and a big hug.
        "Where have you been, son? Are you all right?" she blurted.
        "Mom...I'm fine...Really...I'm just hungry...I think I could eat a cow!"
        "Wonderful! We can eat as soon as you clean your bedroom and bathroom."
        "Mom! You can't be serious! Let me eat first...and then I'll do my chores."
        "No. You know the rules, 'Chores must always be done before we eat".
        "But, Mom.....!" He pleads...but to no avail.
        In this simple story a very important principle is illustrated. In a second or two Johnny was busy working and in a just few minutes his chores were completely done...and a good job too! Then he sat down and ate all the bacon and eggs he wanted along with several waffles. In fact, he ate so much that he could hardly walk...so he went into the front room and lay down on the carpet and groaned.
        Johnny's dad was really impressed and asked, "How did you get him to do his chores so fast? I can't get him to do a thing, not even his homework!"
        Johnny's mother was a lot smarter than Tommy's or Sara's. She understood that need was the motivating force behind all behavior. She knew that Johnny was hungry and his motivation level was equal to his hunger need. So mom explained the simple principle to dad.

        Need = Motivation and Motivation = Action.

         Johnny's dad was very impressed! So, he went right into the front room where Johnny was on his back stretching out his fat tummy so it wouldn't hurt so much. Dad had been after his son for a week to take care of some yard work..
        "Hey Johnny!" he called, "If you will go out right now and mow the front and back lawns and trim the hedges...mom will cook you up some more waffles and bacon and eggs."
Mom just smiled as Johnny groaned and rolled over, because she knew that:

        A Need Once satisfied...is No Longer Motivating...because it is no longer a need!

        Why did Johnny clean his bedroom and bathroom so quickly? Because it was his turn? Because he liked to live in a clean and orderly home? Because he loved his mom and wanted to take some of her workload off? Because those chores needed to be done? Because he loved to work? No! No! No! He was hungry (need) and those 'need satisfiers' (bacon, eggs and waffles) smelled so good they made him hungrier than ever!

Needs drive motivation. It is that simple. Motivation never exceeds the need level. Need is the fuel for the engine of motivation. The more fuel (need) you provide, the faster the engine (motivation) runs. No fuel and the engine stops...add lots of fuel and the engine races. A child with only a little need will work accordingly. A child with a serious need will be willing to work hard to satisfy that need.

--Quote from the book "Your Children Will Whistle While They Work!"