Motivation Assignment, Essay Example

Motivation is essential in our lives. To develop personal motivation is quite hard but not impossible. It is something that is hidden inside of us and it is what we need to feel good about what we do and who we are. Motivation comes from outside sources, from our inner selves, from seeing what you can achieve and what are your goals. But most importantly is that it is us who are the best drivers and boosters. Others can only show us what is important but it is us who have impact over our performances. As Robert P. Cavalier defines: “Motivation exists within each one of us, and to some extent it is our freedom that justifies the use of such a term as motivation” (Cavalier R.P, 2000, p.34)

Many times people find themselves struggling to find motivation because they honestly are not interested in jobs or projects they do. Therefore, to be successful it is essential to understand what is important to you as an individual and have specific goals set.

In high school I was once a part of a health awareness project for youth. The basic idea included educating children aged 12-16 about numerous ways to make smart decisions about their own health. The leader of the project wanted to warn young people of our community about the risks of acquiring diseases by self tattooing and piercing. In order to have positive influence and bring the message to the youth, our leader prepared a range of visual and support activities. “It is important to come up with a wide variety of motivational techniques so that you hit each of those kinds of kids”. (Briggs, 2007. p. 4) Among my tasks was to bring four young individuals from my friends or acquaintances and participate in the special play that was staged for educational purposes about the main topic. We were to develop the play on our own and deliver it to our project leader. It was a very interesting job.

Our core task about the play was to include necessary messages that had to be heard by the children who came to see it. Together with our project leader we analyzed the existing stories about people being infected and invited one of the victims to become a part of the play. The idea to invite a person who acquired HIV virus through self piercing belonged to me and I felt very good when the team leader approved it. My reasoning for this idea included the belief that no one can be as motivating than a real life example that lives among us. Together with our project leader, we prepared an announcement that was placed in the city hall, stores and delivered to people to find our main character. It was quite rewarding to hear my team leader mention that I did a great job and I was motivated to achieve my personal success.

Our play was warmly welcomed by the young people and after the show we devoted some time when they could talk to the HIV positive woman and ask their questions. I honestly believe that communicating with the real life example meant a lot for students. It was a precious time and effort to understand the risks that exist out there and hearing about ways to prevent the terrible disease.

Our project was attended by about 35 young students. It was a great feeling understanding that we helped more youth to learn about how to prevent diseases by being safe and cautious. Basically we once again emphasized the importance of the topic and how it can effect our every day life if we stay unsafe. With the help of the HIV positive woman, youth could better understand and see what the life really feels and is for someone who gets infected.

For me personally the project I participated in had a great value. I liked both working on this particular health subject and having my team leader guide me through. My project guide was a highly professional doctor by profession and he possessed strong knowledge and expertise on the topic. Learning and being advised by such person is very motivational because you see that this person has already achieved his accomplishments and is willing to teach you. Same effect HIV positive woman had on the young students who came to see our play was the same effect I received listening to my team leader.

However, most important influence and a motivator in itself was the subject of our community project. You have to be interested in something to be motivated to do it successfully. As I see myself as a socially active person who cares about people around and is willing to give a helping hand if necessary, I found myself greatly enjoying and living the project. It was a pleasure for me to be able to provide my community fellows with information about a subject that I myself find very important and essential for life. My own willingness to succeed and motivate others was rewarded. And according to Kenneth W. Thomas rewards are those things about the work that feel good, that generate positive emotions.

Motivation is about positive thinking, goal accomplishment and having faith in yourself. Successfully coping with my community project, gave me enough confidence to continue being socially active and motivating others to do same.

References

Cavalier, R. P. (2000) Personal Motivation: A Model for Decision Making New York, USA

Briggs T. W.  (2007, April 10) How kids can get over the ‘motivation brick wall’. USA Today, p. 4

Thomas K. W. (2002) Intrinsic Motivation at Work: Building Energy and Commitment California: San Francisco