We CAN Control and Redirect Our Level of Motivation
We CAN Control and Redirect Our Level of Motivation
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Students at Erie Elementary School know that THEY are in control of their own behavior. Others can ask them to do something, but only they can follow through. This is a big responsibility. When we follow the rules, or do our chores, we are choosing to be respectful.
Students at Erie Elementary School believe in the Power of YET! They understand that with effort, time and desire, they can move towards their goals and eventually reach them. Meeting goals and pushing through hard or undesirable tasks takes motivation.
Motivation is the key to accomplishing everything from getting out of bed to completing a complex assignment or meeting a lofty goal.
Many people experience challenges with motivation, especially when confronted with a demanding or difficult task. Understanding how to control our own motivation is a life skill.
4th and 5th grade students are exploring strategies to increase their motivation.
When we have motivation, we have a desire to get things done. We are willing to put time and effort into a task. It is very common for everyone to feel highs and lows in motivation.
When we experience a high level of motivation, it is usually paired with positive emotions like joy and pride. We are energetic about the task and have a desire to experience the positive consequences associated with completing the task.
When we experience a high level of motivation, it is usually paired with positive emotions like joy and pride. We are energetic about the task and have a desire to experience the positive consequences associated with completing the task.
When we experience a low level of motivation to complete a task, we may have to be asked multiple times, put it off until the last minute or even dig our heals in with defiance. When this happens, we generally struggle to understand how the positive consequence benefits us. We don’t put a lot of weight into the positive outcome. Or, we may feel overwhelmed by the task and need some guidance to make it manageable.
When we experience a low level of motivation to complete a task, we may have to be asked multiple times, put it off until the last minute or even dig our heals in with defiance. When this happens, we generally struggle to understand how the positive consequence benefits us. We don’t put a lot of weight into the positive outcome. Or, we may feel overwhelmed by the task and need some guidance to make it manageable.
When exploring ways to increase our motivation, it’s important to focus on the tasks in which we are moderately motivated. These are the tasks that we don’t really want to do, but some how, we choose to get them done.
When exploring ways to increase our motivation, it’s important to focus on the tasks in which we are moderately motivated. These are the tasks that we don’t really want to do, but some how, we choose to get them done.
Have a conversation with your children about these moderately motivating tasks.
What motivates them to complete the task even when they don’t want to do it?
Are they intrinsically or extrinsically motivated?
What value do they see in the task?
Knowing the answers to some of these questions may help you and your child increase motivation for some of tasks in which they feel a low level of motivation.
Consider encouraging your child to choose one or more of the following strategies to increase their motivation for an undesired task.
Take small steps: Set a goal and break that goal into small steps.
Pair it up: Pair the unpleasant task with a pleasant task.
Create a habit: Make it part of your routine.
Reward yourself: Do something you love to do after the unpleasant task.
Stay positive: use positive self talk
Use reminders: like sticky notes, planners or alarms
Often, when people struggle with motivation, they also struggle with executive functioning skills. These are skills associated with organization, time management, focus, task initiation, impulse control, working memory, verbal memory, flexibility, planning and problem solving and emotional regulation. Stay tuned for my next post highlighting strategies to increase these skills. It starts at home!
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