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Show Schoolv and VM Home fc 7 by Dr. Daryl J. McCarty Executive Secretary Utah Education Association Motivation necessary "Why aren't you keeping up with your school work?" a father angrily asked his son. "Dad, I'm just not motivated," said the boy. What is this motivation we talk about and how do we provide it? The dictionaries tell us that to motivate is to cause a person to act in a certain way. This is accomplished by furnishing a motive, or a reason, for someone to act the way you want them to act. In the aDove conversation, the father wanted cne school work done. The son ' apparently found better reasons (more motivation) for doing other things than for doing school work. One person's reason for being ' motivated may have no effect upon another. The father could tell his son that he should do his school work if he wants to get ahead in life, be able to find and hold a good job, go on to college, etc. The father's experiences in life have shown him that getting a good education is important to realizing these goals. These goals may be too far in the future or totally unimportant to the son at this point. Result : little or no motivation. The "carrot -and-stick" approach could be used. ' Most experts agree that "high-level" motivation must come from within an ' individual. Therefore, the father must understand the hopes and dreams of his son, and intelligently relate the school v work to him. The son should be helped to understand how this fits into the . whole of life. It requires treating people with respect for their individuality and consideration for their feelings. I Next time you are disappointed in the lack of motivation for your children in their school work, maybe you can review these ideas and have a better approach worked out. , However, don't be discouraged if you , don't find the success you are looking for right off. Remember that there is no sure fire system, and, it is not the satisfaction that drives, but the desire. 1' '-Kt l)tb fitKUUuli !ii liRjj VI Viii ii.ii |