The Value Of Self-Motivation 1
(Monday)
Context:
In our current school system, your primary motivation to complete an assignment, or do well on a test, is usually to get a good grade. Let's be honest. While the main purpose of school is to help expand our knowledge and prepare us to function as capable adults, the motivation of most students usually comes down to wanting to get good grades.
Getting used to this way of thinking throughout your school years might make it tougher to find motivation from within when there are no grades or external pressures involved. However, in a work environment, someone who can motivate themselves becomes incredibly valuable. So, developing the durable skill of self-motivation will greatly influence your success in both your career and life as a whole.
What it is: Instead of relying on external sources to provide you with a purpose for your actions, your motivation originates from within you. Your determination is fueled by your personal interests, values, and passions, rather than conforming to someone else's set of tasks.
Self-motivation means finding the energy and determination within yourself to take action and work towards a goal. It's about being driven by your own interests and values rather than seeking approval from others.
Why it’s important: An employee with self-motivation is a vital asset for any company. Their natural passion influences how they handle daily responsibilities and interact with colleagues, ultimately impacting the company's financial success. Self-motivated employees inspire others, save time, and go beyond the role they are hired for to look for ways to make work processes more efficient, which impacts a company’s bottom line.
Managers don’t want an employee who has to be motivated to do their job. Employers look for high-performing individuals who aren’t motivated solely by their paycheck. But rather they look for individuals who do their job because they take pride in themselves and their abilities, are motivated from within to do their best, and give their all to any task they are given.
Primer Questions
If a teacher told you you would get an ‘A’ on every assignment no matter what you turned in, would you still do your best on each assignment?
If a teacher said that everyone would get a passing grade on the exam, no matter how many answers you got wrong, would you still put in time studying for the test?
Do you have a hobby, a sport or something that you love to do, even though it may take time and hard work?
Write down your answers and observations in your journal.
Most people can motivate themselves to do something they already know how to do, or that they can do very easily.
True self-motivation, the kind that sets the super successful apart from the average worker, is the self-motivation to do the things that are hard, that are difficult, that are unknown.
Seven reasons why we lack motivation.
If you’ve ever lacked motivation, have you taken the time to pinpoint why? See if any of the common reasons in the lesson video apply to you.
Being motivated by an adult no longer works when you become one.
In school and at home, we’re most often motivated by an adult- our teacher or parents. So we’re not accustomed to creating our own internal motivation, or ‘reason’ to get started.
One of the initial key points to grasp is that self-motivation involves taking ownership of your life. What gets done, or not, is up to you.
You’ll need to find your ‘Why’ in life.
Finding your motivation. Finding your ‘Why’.
Pleasing your parents, teacher, or friends, or finding motivation from other external factors like social media or media in general, will not be effective forever.
Start by focusing on the core building blocks of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-appreciation. Begin by understanding, accepting, and valuing yourself.
As an activity, reflect on your strengths, interests, and qualities that drive you. What traits or qualities make you unique? Write your findings in your journal.
Self-awareness fuels a desire for self-growth, which in turn ignites the fires of self-motivation.
Metacognitive Goals
For the first part of this week notice what or who motivates you and why. This can be in school, at home, or if you’re working, in the workplace. Make a list and make sure to answer the ‘why’ part of this metacognitive goal. What is the reason for your motivation in each case?
Thought of the day.
“We can do anything we want to if we stick to it long enough.”
-Helen Keller