{"id":759,"date":"2022-08-20T20:22:58","date_gmt":"2022-08-20T20:22:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sukiwessling.com\/kidblog\/?p=759"},"modified":"2023-08-28T20:23:14","modified_gmt":"2023-08-28T20:23:14","slug":"where-does-motivation-come-from","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sukiwessling.com\/kidblog\/where-does-motivation-come-from\/","title":{"rendered":"Where does motivation come from?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

I learned to swim the first time I jumped in a pool.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\n

I didn’t learn to ride a bike till I was ten.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\n

I love<\/em> math and could do it all day.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\n

I freeze<\/span> up<\/span> every time I try to write for school.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Why?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every task we approach is accompanied by this feeling inside of us that we call motivation<\/a>. That’s the feeling of energy and excitement that comes with doing something fun or challenging, something that we anticipate, something we look forward to for whatever reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are you motivated to do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stop reading right now<\/em> and think about the tasks that you regularly do that you are very motivated<\/span> to do. They can include fun activities like playing soccer or activities that some kids find boring like learning math.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of us is motivated differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are you not<\/em> motivated to do?<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Stop reading right now<\/em> and think about the tasks that you regularly do that you are really unmotivated<\/span> to do. They can include activities that some kids think are fun like playing soccer or really cool activities like learning math.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of us is motivated differently. Did you notice that the last two sections were almost completely the same? What motivates you will often not be what motivates someone else, even your best friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where does motivation come from?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Motivation<\/a> comes from enjoyment
    <\/strong>If you have a really great time the first time you do an activity, you’re likely to be motivated to do it again.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Motivation<\/a> comes from approval
    <\/strong>All of us care, at least a bit, about how others respond to us. When people approve of something we do, that can be a strong     motivation<\/a> to do it again.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Motivation<\/a> comes from your personality
    <\/strong>I can’t tell you why I like to write. I always<\/em> did. Almost all of us find it easy to do certain things, no matter what anyone else thinks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Motivation<\/a> comes from the people around you
    <\/strong>When people are dismissive, mean, or just not supportive, we can feel less motivated than if they support us enthusiastically.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Motivation<\/a> comes from rewards
    <\/strong>Sometimes rewards, either concrete prizes like trophies or money or abstract rewards like gaining a friend, can be motivating.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Motivation<\/a> comes from your inner commitment
    <\/strong>No matter all the other factors, if you are really set on achieving something, you will feel highly motivated.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    There are so many other factors to consider, even the environment you’re in, whether you’ve had enough food and rest, and the time of day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So should I only do things that I already feel motivated to do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    No no no! If you did, you’d probably be a very unhealthy person with no friends and few interests. Humans aren’t horses; we don’t just eat the grass in front of us because that’s what our DNA is telling us to do. We often make choices that are not good for us because we don’t feel motivated to make better choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But the fact is: We don’t always feel easily motivated. What then?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How do I find motivation if I am not feeling it?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The first step is to find out what does<\/em> motivate you. Look at the things that you do happily, and ask yourself some questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n