When looking at how you first deliver that new lesson or maybe your deep into a long project with your students, at every level we tend to ask a lot of our them. Thinking, research, remembering, collaborating, etc... at the same time we are looking for that spark to motivate and provide them with the drive they need in class and outside of school. But, what about you and I? Who provides us with that same drive or more? Yourself? Friends? Colleagues? Administrators? Yes, the list goes on. I am not sure why I have been thinking like this, call it the new year, or maybe I'm just realizing we have to find time for ourselves before we can give our students what they need and desire. And, no I do not think this is being selfish. I recently came across an article written in the Harvard Business Review by, Peter Bregman, "Your problem Isn't motivation" and I feel it is very relevant to me and possibly you. One of my favorite quotes from within the article that just grabbed me was, "Motivation is in the mind; follow-through is in the practice. Motivation is conceptual; follow-through is practical." For me the follow-through part is huge cause I am like my students, I have ADD and can tend to be all over the place at times and other times so focused that you could not get my attention for anything.
Where am I going with this, I have tons of internal motivation but really its about the "follow-through" for me. I even begun having these types of conversations with my students. Lately I start the first 5/10 minutes talking about follow-through. Who is struggling and with what? Who is doing great-all of their work is done and what did you do that helped you achieve that (I'm trying to see if I can spark peer-to-peer motivation)? If you need help who will you look to for it? For example: I tell them I am not good at math but, Ms. ????? is, have you talked to her? She loves helping students out and will go that extra mile for you. Is that "Spark" knowing we are there for them every step of the way? Sometimes just having someone you can talk to for support helps them do something you may never know they did. Like me joining Fit42.net, I feel I've became more accountable for the food I eat, the amount and what type of exercise I get. Bottom line I have online support for my health. In the end look for that little spark that is going to help yourself and everyone around will benefit beyond belief.
Where am I going with this, I have tons of internal motivation but really its about the "follow-through" for me. I even begun having these types of conversations with my students. Lately I start the first 5/10 minutes talking about follow-through. Who is struggling and with what? Who is doing great-all of their work is done and what did you do that helped you achieve that (I'm trying to see if I can spark peer-to-peer motivation)? If you need help who will you look to for it? For example: I tell them I am not good at math but, Ms. ????? is, have you talked to her? She loves helping students out and will go that extra mile for you. Is that "Spark" knowing we are there for them every step of the way? Sometimes just having someone you can talk to for support helps them do something you may never know they did. Like me joining Fit42.net, I feel I've became more accountable for the food I eat, the amount and what type of exercise I get. Bottom line I have online support for my health. In the end look for that little spark that is going to help yourself and everyone around will benefit beyond belief.
Take care and allow the creative spirit to flow through your blood