The psychology of self-motivation | Scott Geller | TEDxVirginiaTech

The concept of boundaries often evokes thoughts of rules and accountability, typically enforced by parents, teachers, or supervisors. While these structures are necessary for guidance, true inspiration comes from leaders who encourage individuals to exceed expectations voluntarily. The focus shifts towards fostering self-motivation in ourselves and others rather than relying solely on external pressures.

Empowerment is often misunderstood; it’s not just about getting tasks done with limited resources. True empowerment comes from self-motivation and confidence in one’s abilities. To assess if someone feels empowered, ask three key questions: First, do they believe they can accomplish the task? This relates to self-efficacy—having the necessary time, knowledge, and training. Second, do they trust that their efforts will yield results? Known as response-efficacy, this belief requires education and evidence to support it.

Education and training serve different purposes in learning. Education is a broad term used throughout schooling, while training focuses on specific behaviors with feedback, particularly relevant in professional settings. The distinction becomes clear when considering topics like sex education versus sex training; the latter implies practical application and assessment of behavior. Online training presents challenges as it lacks direct observation of actions, making its effectiveness questionable.

The concept of consequences is central to motivation, as highlighted by B.F. Skinner's principle of 'selection by consequences.' From birth, actions are driven by the desire for rewards or outcomes. To foster a sense of competence in individuals, it's crucial to convince them that their efforts yield worthwhile results. When people feel competent and engaged in meaningful work, they become self-motivated and require less oversight. Leaders can inspire this feeling through consistent feedback and recognition.

The sense of choice significantly influences self-motivation. B.F. Skinner's insights reveal that individuals are often driven by consequences, feeling empowered when pursuing positive outcomes but controlled when avoiding negative ones through negative reinforcement. Leaders face the challenge of transforming people from failure avoiders into success seekers; many students attend classes out of obligation rather than opportunity, indicating a lack of intrinsic motivation and joy in their pursuits. The key lies in shifting perspectives to view experiences as opportunities instead.

Effective communication shapes our interactions with others and ourselves. Ellen Langer emphasizes that recognizing choices enhances motivation, urging us to adopt a mindset of seeking success rather than avoiding failure. Community plays a vital role in this process; social support fosters happiness and motivation through connections with others. The poem "The Cookie Thief" illustrates the importance of perspective—what we perceive may not reflect reality, as shown when the woman discovers her own cookies after feeling wronged by another.

The struggle between independence and interdependence is highlighted through a narrative of regret and realization. The speaker reflects on the societal conditioning that promotes self-reliance, often at the expense of community support. As individuals transition from childhood to adolescence, they may cling too tightly to their independence, leading to isolation. Acknowledging our need for one another fosters a sense of belonging and mutual care within communities.

The Spark of Passion for Drumming Over 60 years ago, a young boy named Scott was excited to start drum lessons after his parents encouraged him. Inspired by legendary drummers like Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa, he envisioned himself playing on stage with a beautiful drum set. His motivation grew as he learned new techniques from his teacher, who promised better equipment if Scott showed improvement.

Overcoming Challenges Through Breakdown As time passed, the pressure to perform led to feelings of distress and helplessness when Scott struggled with mastering certain skills like the drum roll. A music teacher advised him to break down complex tasks into manageable parts instead of feeling overwhelmed. This approach helped Scott realize that even small progress could lead to success in learning difficult rhythms.

Learning Together: The Power of Community In an unexpected turn during one lesson, Scott demonstrated how he'd figured out the elusive drum roll technique—teaching it back to his instructor who had forgotten its simplicity over time. This experience highlighted that teaching is reciprocal; both students and teachers can learn from each other’s insights and experiences. The key takeaway emphasizes fostering self-motivation through competence perception while recognizing our interconnectedness within a community striving for growth together.