Motivation

This week we finished up students' "About Me" sharing and discussed the psychology of motivation. We started by examining two very different forms of motivation at work in our lives:

1. Intrinsic motivation is defined as the doing of an activity for its inherent satisfaction rather than for some separable consequence. When intrinsically motivated, a person is moved to act for the fun or challenge entailed rather than because of external products, pressures, or rewards.

2. Extrinsic motivation is being encouraged to do something because of outside (extrinsic) forces. Said motivation could be positive or negative, meaning they can be encouraged to do something to receive a benefit or praise or discouraged to do something out of fear of consequences.

Then we discussed common ways willpower can be depleted throughout the day and how to create an optimal schedule built on self-awareness. What a person works on (and when) can impact their motivation. Therefore, it’s beneficial to think of willpower as a fuel gauge depleted over time and filled up at different times throughout the day. Essentially, motivation doesn’t thrive when we rely on discipline. It thrives when we rely on well-thought-out routines.

In addition, one thing that differentiates high performers from average performers is the quality of their breaks and how they reward themselves for work well done. This seems counterintuitive to many gifted students, but it is backed by research (check out Cal Newport’s “Deep Work”). 

We explored this research and discussed why it can be extra difficult for perfectionists, high-achievers, and people with obsessive interests to follow through on quality breaks (or reward themselves).  

In addition, we talked over this website link with key ways students can get motivated and stay on a task. We discussed the tactics they think work best and why. Then we talked about tactful ways to request these elements from the adults we work with or provide them for ourselves:

https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/improve-student-motivation-ideas/

Students then addressed how to close out a day or close out a week to prepare for rest.

Optional journal exercise/discussion questions:

- What activities do you find intrinsically motivating? When/where do you rely on extrinsic motivation?

- Regarding breaks, how do you make sure things are in order for next week (and not left until Sunday)?

- What can actually help you REST during breaks rather than rush around?

- Regarding motivation, what important things do you need to address with key adults in your life?