We, as Siemens have been operating in Turkey for more than 160 years, which is astonishingly a long time. We have always planned for a long-term presence in Turkey and worked accordingly. Also based our sustainability approach on this framework. Prior to the launch out of a project, we always contemplate on how to develop it in the long run; since rather than one-time support, initiating a project, growing it, taking it to different levels, improving its scope and value are important to us. Siemens Opera Contest that has become a traditional event is a good example to this approach; it started from scratch and within these 21 years it touched and continues to touch the lives of tens of opera singers who performed on world stages.

While launching and continuing the project, our premise has always been this: There are many talented young people and artists in Turkey. Trying to create opportunities for these young people on various platforms has been our main source of motivation and enthusiasm.

I believe that the phenomenon of “brand” is another important aspect. Building a brand and sustaining its reputation requires great time and effort. When these young opera singers successfully represent Turkey abroad, they are actually performing on behalf of Turkey and add great value to the brand of Turkey.

In my now more than 43 years with Siemens, I worked in 7 different countries. Every country has its dynamics and every country has unique musical, economic, and political rhythms. But what has always fascinated me the most is how different instruments may bring people together. These instruments can sometimes be sports, sometimes cuisines or art. They immediately interfere and open the doors of communication, especially when experts or authorities feel they are in a deadlock.

Lucky us, we have been doing this for 21 years. This reminds me of the motto “Ars longa, vita brevis”. Cited from Hippocrates and translated into Latin, this phrase means “art is long, life is short”. Actually, Hippocrates said these words in the context of medicine, which he considered to be an art, and added: “opportunity fleeting, experiment dangerous, judgement difficult”.

In other words, expertise on a certain topic, craft or art requires a lot of time, effort and endeavor. Compared to this trouble, our life is quite short. Yet, there is another side to the medallion: An art earned by giving your lifetime to it makes you immortal in the end. Isn’t this already the dream of an artist?

When I think about Siemens Opera Contest, I do not see a standardized event that has never changed in 21 years. On the contrary, I see a snowball that grows layer by layer, developed with experience, and gains value with the excitement and enthusiasm of young people. And I thank everyone involved for their contribution.

Let Tchaikovsky say the final words: “Music is indeed the most beautiful of all Heaven’s gifts to humanity wandering in the darkness. Only music can calm, enlighten, and still our souls. Music is a true friend, refuge, and comforter, makes life worth living. Perhaps there will be no music in heaven. Well then, let us give our mortal life to it as long as it lasts.”

Often I am asked how I motivate myself or what motivates me. The following is my understanding and experience on this topic in brief. Life teaches us that “motivation” is connected to ourselves and other people as well as our interests, excitements (stimulation) and satisfaction in a task that we are doing.

Those of us who have small children in the family will recall the process to motivate a child on a task (which is not always easy by the way): The child shows interest in a new interaction ( or a toy) as long as the object or interaction stimulates, entertains or gives him or her an emotional security. The same could be applied for us as grown-ups as well.

• Stimulation

• Entertainment

• Emotional security

are the basic foundations of motivation which remain with us in different dimensions throughout our lives.

Stimulation:
We remain motivated in a task or interaction as long as we have the feeling that we learn or benefit from it. Once we mastered a task or interaction, the motivation / satisfaction remains or keeps increasing. As long as we have the feeling that by using the expertise we gained, we are able to reach new levels of benefits or recognition. The flip side is the stage of repetition or monotony which eventually leads to unhappiness / dissatisfaction.

Entertainment:
The shortest duration for motivation is that of entertainment. It is useful for gaining a quick distraction e.g. timeouts. It can also serve in social or business life to create an atmosphere for bondage between parties. However the life span of motivation through entertainment is considerably short lived since it usually does not create long lasting stimulation or emotional bondage.

Emotional security:
I believe that a key aspect of motivation is attaining emotional security for ourselves, both in social and business life. We keep objects or remain in a relationship even when we are not immediately stimulated or entertained by it. We develop an emotional bondage (security) towards a person or a task itself. The benefits are emotional in nature and have a different meaning for each of us, but for sure they connect the physical, material needs of humans with that what some call it “the inner-self of us”.

Hence, self-motivation for me is a balanced combination of these 3 basic aspects (I am sure for some, there are others too). The key however is to find the right balance between our social and business lives to compensate for any shortfalls in one or the other.

People who consider making important changes in their life, usually are lost in finding the right questions (hence answers) before taking the right step for a change. With the following  ‘3 Hints Series’  I will publish life and business experiences in a clear-cut format to focus on essential topics. The idea of this series comes from my children who are always challenging me with topics relating to ”the devil is in the detail”.  Naturally growing up with the Social Media, Generation Z like to come to the point quickly without getting into the details.

The first topic ‘Career Change’  is quite important for everyone, but particularly for the young generation. What are the essentials when starting a career or changing jobs?

1) Challenge: A job should provide excitement, recognition, future prospects.
2) Location: It should be acceptable for the entire family and meet one’s standards.
3) Compensation: Although not the key aspect, it should be motivating, fair and provide flexibility.

If all three aspects are met , being successful depends on your individual approach and commitment!