MOTIVATION! This is a very important component in our everyday lives and especially important for educators and learners. Now remember, whenever I speak of educators, I am referring to parents, teachers, parent teachers and teacher-parents. Before we get into how motivation fits into the process of education, let’s establish a working definition. I like how Dwight Eisenhower defines it. He said, “Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it.” That is an interesting concept to me. By now I hope you are beginning to ponder at least two questions:
What drives you/your child/student?
So, let’s shift gears for a bit and consider this question - what drives you? While contemplating the question myself, a number of notable individuals who have achieved success in different walks of life came to mind. I wondered:
How to Motivate
How do you motivate yourself and the children entrusted to your care? Start with yourself. Figure out what drives you. There’s nothing impossible for you if you are suitably motivated to do it. If your house is on fire, will you say I'm too tired or I just don't feel like moving right now. As educators, sometimes we are tempted to get discouraged because of circumstances over which we have little or no control. That is when you need to go to your source of inspiration. Your inspiration may be the goal you wish to achieve, music, a positive conversation with a confidant, a spiritual practice, exercise, taking a break to recharge, or a special treat for yourself.
I would recommend that the first step to take in order to motivate your child/student is to invest in building a strong relationship with him/her. Children, especially younger ones, are eager to please and are fond of adult approval. Communicate your high expectations and be there as a source of support and encouragement. By building meaningful relationships with them, you will soon realize what drives them.
As I reflect on my teaching experience, I remember a boy I taught in the first grade who struggled with simple addition. I tried various methods; but he still struggled. I had a conversation one day with his father and found out that the little boy loved cricket (which is a popular pastime and sport in many Commonwealth countries). I listened in awe as my student provided statistics about the game and just spat out specific records attained by his favorite batsman, Brian Lara. In that moment I discovered his source of motivation and the ticket to a breakthrough.
The next afternoon in Math class, I came equipped with an improvised “bat” made with a wire clothes hanger with an old stocking stretched and secured over it and a ball made of paper secured by masking tape. The classroom was electric with excitement as the spectators (aka his classmates) cheered him on every time hit the ball all around the classroom. Hitting the window was 4 runs and hitting it outside was a definite 6! Each set of runs that he made, I instructed him to record the number on the board. Everyone was amazed to see how well he was able to add the numbers because I simply tapped into a source of motivation for him.
It's no different than the over-the-top encouragement that we give to toddlers learning to walk. They want to achieve independent mobility and we know they respond favorably to our screams, smiles and applause. This results in a win-win situation. We do it without prompting when they are toddlers, so why not do it through the years.
I recommend that the first step to take in order to motivate your child/student is to invest in building a strong relationship with him/her. Children, especially younger ones, are eager to please and are fond of adult approval. Communicate your high expectations and be there as a source of support and encouragement. By building meaningful relationships with them, you will soon realize what drives them.
Challenge
Will you commit to being your children's/students' biggest fan and cheerleader? Take the time to tap into their interests and commit to doing your part to help them to do what you want them to do because they want to do it. In other words, motivate them! Depending on the age of the children that you work with, you could also have an open conversation with them because many of them already know. You need to also figure out what drives you; because even adults need motivation.
If you found value in this blog, please share it with your friends. Share your experiences with the effects motivation had on your children/students in the comments below. Don't forget to check out our social media sites (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and YouTube channel. Walk good and one love.
- How do I get myself to want to do something? and
- How do I get my child/student to want to do what I want them to do; not just because I want them to do it, but because they want to do it too.
What drives you/your child/student?
So, let’s shift gears for a bit and consider this question - what drives you? While contemplating the question myself, a number of notable individuals who have achieved success in different walks of life came to mind. I wondered:
- What was the driving force for a young boy growing up in a rural community in a small third-world country to aspire for the title – Fastest Man in the World? What made him think that he could accomplish what no one else had ever achieved and make Jamaica proud? What propelled Usain Bolt to believe that he could defy the odds of being 6’5” tall with scoliosis and still be a100-meter sprinter? Maybe it’s his affirmation in this quote: “You have to set yourself goals so you can push yourself harder. Desire is the key to success.” – Usain Bolt
- What made Michael Phelps strive to win 28 Olympic medals? Why has he been able to dominate the sport and become the most decorated Olympian of all time? What was driving Phelps when he said, “I think that everything is possible as long as you put your mind to it and you put the work and time into it. I think your mind really controls everything.”
- Let’s consider another athlete… Simone Biles. How could she rise above the challenges of the foster care system to become the most decorated American gymnast?
- What about the late Nelson Mandela? How could he even aspire to move from being a prisoner to becoming the president of his nation? Why was he able to see beyond his 27 years of incarceration? What kept him going on that “Long Walk to Freedom”?
How to Motivate
How do you motivate yourself and the children entrusted to your care? Start with yourself. Figure out what drives you. There’s nothing impossible for you if you are suitably motivated to do it. If your house is on fire, will you say I'm too tired or I just don't feel like moving right now. As educators, sometimes we are tempted to get discouraged because of circumstances over which we have little or no control. That is when you need to go to your source of inspiration. Your inspiration may be the goal you wish to achieve, music, a positive conversation with a confidant, a spiritual practice, exercise, taking a break to recharge, or a special treat for yourself.
I would recommend that the first step to take in order to motivate your child/student is to invest in building a strong relationship with him/her. Children, especially younger ones, are eager to please and are fond of adult approval. Communicate your high expectations and be there as a source of support and encouragement. By building meaningful relationships with them, you will soon realize what drives them.
As I reflect on my teaching experience, I remember a boy I taught in the first grade who struggled with simple addition. I tried various methods; but he still struggled. I had a conversation one day with his father and found out that the little boy loved cricket (which is a popular pastime and sport in many Commonwealth countries). I listened in awe as my student provided statistics about the game and just spat out specific records attained by his favorite batsman, Brian Lara. In that moment I discovered his source of motivation and the ticket to a breakthrough.
The next afternoon in Math class, I came equipped with an improvised “bat” made with a wire clothes hanger with an old stocking stretched and secured over it and a ball made of paper secured by masking tape. The classroom was electric with excitement as the spectators (aka his classmates) cheered him on every time hit the ball all around the classroom. Hitting the window was 4 runs and hitting it outside was a definite 6! Each set of runs that he made, I instructed him to record the number on the board. Everyone was amazed to see how well he was able to add the numbers because I simply tapped into a source of motivation for him.
It's no different than the over-the-top encouragement that we give to toddlers learning to walk. They want to achieve independent mobility and we know they respond favorably to our screams, smiles and applause. This results in a win-win situation. We do it without prompting when they are toddlers, so why not do it through the years.
I recommend that the first step to take in order to motivate your child/student is to invest in building a strong relationship with him/her. Children, especially younger ones, are eager to please and are fond of adult approval. Communicate your high expectations and be there as a source of support and encouragement. By building meaningful relationships with them, you will soon realize what drives them.
Challenge
Will you commit to being your children's/students' biggest fan and cheerleader? Take the time to tap into their interests and commit to doing your part to help them to do what you want them to do because they want to do it. In other words, motivate them! Depending on the age of the children that you work with, you could also have an open conversation with them because many of them already know. You need to also figure out what drives you; because even adults need motivation.
If you found value in this blog, please share it with your friends. Share your experiences with the effects motivation had on your children/students in the comments below. Don't forget to check out our social media sites (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and YouTube channel. Walk good and one love.