smh... student motivation hints

Working together is the most powerful thing we have an human beings. Find someone who inspires you, and inspire them right back!

Got a visit from a great student today who literally just asked for a motivational speech on the spot before class. She "didn't have any motivation". Sound familiar? Here's what I said and learned.

You know what? Most of the time I talk about speeding up, and I like that. But for some types of mental activities, especially if it's not working or we're distracted... let's slow down.

Your motivation is complex. You feel your emotions changing and respond, but do you actually know why, or where it comes from? Be your own thereapist and curiously dig deep into WHY you are feeling the way you are, WHY are you acting a certain way?

Practice, drills, dedication, focus, games, tournaments, performance, winning. All these words we associate with sports, but school is the EXACT same. Being in class is practice, homework is drills. You need daily dedication, you can't procrastinate. You take tests and write essays just like you compete in games, matches, and tournaments. So be excited not nervous! Compete to win!

You think you're lazy, and that makes you lazy. SHAKE YOUR HEAD and look at it correctly: you are NOT lazy. Something else in your life is keeping you from being productive, and you can do something about it. Saying you're lazy is giving up, and it's also FALSE. Think about it. I dare you.

How often do you think this? Oh, that wasn't so bad! That wasn't so hard! We often naturally build things up to be bigger or harder than they really are but once we get started or even once we finish we realize it's no big deal. 

Rutherford tells a story about how a frustrated conversation turns into a deep understanding.

Are you stressed? Is that even a bad thing? Stress is necessary for growth, learning, and improvement. Can you talk about things differently and use different words to change your perspective on anything? YES, SI SE PEUDE. Everything you say or feel or tell yourself has a HUGE impact on how you perceive it, so take control and view stress positively! 

We all fall off. We all lose momentum, hit a road block, or get tired. But how do you respond to it? BOUNCE BACK is the quick little phrase we can use to shake our heads and start fresh on a path we know we want to get back on. Say it out loud, or develop your own little saying, but always have something quick and easy you can use to restart your motivation.