What motivates you?

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
                                        ....Ralph Waldo Emerson

     Because this is the first posting, it seems appropriate to consider why we have chosen this path as a Flight Medic. The title of this post is a simple inquiry into our motivation and some may ask why this is worth discussion.  In response, consider that everything from the quality of our effort to the degree of our satisfaction and sustainability in the Flight Medic role hinge on our motivation. Following this inquiry further, we would probably agree that MEDEVAC transport is a difficult, sometimes gruelling, often risky, and deeply challenging profession (to offer a few descriptive terms...no doubt you have a few of your own). Why do we invest our time, energy, and emotion when there are easier paths to follow?  The answers are personal. That is, each of us can probably provide a unique answer that derive from our individual experiences and personalities. Because of this, a couple of thoughts come to mind.
     The first revolves around the concept of motivation as it pertains to the difficulties of the profession. Bringing this idea into a more tangible and recognizable picture, why do you scramble using so much energy, sweat, and intensity in the face of task overload, discomfort, and distraction. Consider an all too common scenario involving a deteriorating patient with traumatic amputations, penetrating wounds to the abdomen, chemically paralyzed, sedated, and intubated with blood products infusing and no partner to help you (or, you can insert your own "tough transport" here...no doubt you have one of these too). In other professions, you can just stop and get some coffee, before regrouping to complete the job, but that's not an option for us. So, why do we choose such demanding roles?
     Each of us will have our own explanations, but there are some common elements to consider. What draws us into these roles? Is there a common thread of compassion for the sick and injured? How about respect for those who depend on your abilities? Does the challenge alone spark your desire for success? Are there more personal reasons for the way you perform? Most likely, there are several similar motivators that influence us in various combinations. Questions such as these are useful for introspection. To be comfortable in our demanding profession, we need to know the answers. It is not enough to do something just because we can. There must be an element of passion for true success to occur. At the risk of sounding like a compromise, we may not always have the desired outcome, but we can always provide our best effort.
     The second thought is a consideration for those motivational elements that we share. MEDEVAC teams  are small and depend on each other for many reasons, especially in (the all too common) difficult situations where lives are often on the line. Cooperation, communication, and collaboration are unspoken rules to survive by.  Crewing a Blackhawk can be a great source of pride. While you have good reason and the right to be proud of your role, there is an even greater reward in the positive influence you have in the patients lives during the rescue or transport. No one can take take away the satisfaction and pride you have from saving (or sustaining) a life on a MEDEVAC Transport.
     You have probably noticed that no answers have been offered for the original question. The simple reason for this is that the answers can only come from you. These are merely some thoughts intended to provoke curiosity and a better understanding of our motivations. Motivation is important and worth consideration.  With that in mind, what is your motivation?