Mental framing for mentors - a deeper understanding of week #6
This week we would like to offer you some insights into motivation and overcoming challenges when motivation is running low. For this purpose we offer cognitive-behavioral theoretical frame for better understanding. When it comes to motivation, human sciences know that motivation may not only fluctuate time to time but more likely from hour to hour. It is indeed a dynamic phenomena that presents us with a challenge when we start lacking it for shorter or longer periods of time in a specific area.
During the first week we briefly touched on this topic in connection to Maslow's hierarchy of needs however, today we are focusing on BJ Fogg's approach. According to his theory, we need three things (motivation, ability and trigger) in order to a behavior to occur.
In fact a lot. There are areas where we can intervene or we can take preventive steps to keep on track. Once again we would like to emphasize it is very normal to experience a fluctuation of motivation. One thing we can do is to use triggers, and reduce the level of difficulty of a given task - hence start doing the easiest (most pleasurable ones) first (when preparing for an exam, start memorizing the easiest ones then proceed to the more difficult ones) We recommend you to operate with proposing smart questions to explore what is going on inside. or start activate our participation using external rewards etc.
What happens if?
If you are not interested - you may have a motivational problem
If you daydream - may need to learn a new learning technique
Having negative experiences - we recommend therapy
Learning disabilities - learning skills training
Potential problems are when external motivating factors are not appropriate:
Unrealistic expectations - external or internal (perfectionism)
No feed-back (indifference)
Not getting rewarded
Disciplinary (punishment) driven behavior-reinforcement
Weak internal motivation system
Socialization problems
Experiencing failings, depression, anxiety
Feel free to approach student support services to learn more about motivation.
Be creative and attentive!