We have entered a disruptive era. Our values are undergoing the most disruptive challenges ever. Our principals are challenged, our ethos and ideologies are being methodologically shattered, our education systems and the processes for evaluations are being manipulated at all levels, the rich are becoming richer by using the disruptive means available to them.
So, how does the common man like you and me survive. ?
We, can only survive by holding each other hands by believing in ourselves, in our abilities and in our conscience.
We can survive by staying motivated and believing in our efforts for survival.
Staying Motivated
It is becoming an increasing challenge to remain motivated for many people slogging through life in this era of disruption.
Motivation is extrinsic & intrinsic. Lets see how we can put them to our use.
Extrinsic motivation refers to acts done to receive an external reward or outcome like wealth, power or fame, or in some cases to avoid punishment.
Intrinsic motivation involves behaviours that are done for their own sake and are personally rewarding such as helping other people. Participating in an enjoyable sport or studying a fascinating subject. With intrinsic motivation, inspiration comes from within. It tends to be more forceful and the result more fulfilling.
External motivation mode – as felt by Coleman, are always rewarding when one remains active during his daily activities. In the same time, it’s an opportunity to think about what really matters to us – and refresh our sense of PURPOSE.
During these times one should search for what really matters and search for ways to act on what is most meaningful. “Doing What’s meaningful – acting on what really matters to a person is the antidote to burnout” as per Coleman.
Face what is happening with a set of these questions.
- What does it mean to me?
- What really matters to me now?
- Is there a way I can act upon that will be meaningful to me?
“When individuals engage in generous and altruistic behaviours, they activate circuits in the brain that are the key to fostering wellbeing” – As per Richard J Davidson – Prof.Psychology, University of Wisconsin. In other words, caring for other people can be its own rewards.
Individual whose emotional outlook is focused on the left side of the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which is activated by altruistic behaviours – tends to be more positive. They are more likely to become frustrated & irritated when their goals are thwarted, but this helps to mobilise their energy and ability to overcome the obstacles getting in the way of achieving their goals.
On the other hand, the right side of the preferential cortex acts as what Davidson calls a behavioural inhibitor that prompts people to give up more easily when the going gets tough. Such people tend to be overly cautious, fearful and risk averse as well as not highly motivated.
FEAR that we may never escape the threat of this era of disruption can lead to feelings of futility. A thought that can thwart motivation and result in a joyless, unrewarding existence is the feeling of what is the point of doing anything if it will all come to a naught in the end?
Instead adopt a more positive approach by selecting goals that are attainable but still present a challenge.
Millions of us now limited in their earnings and thought process in the current era of disruption, which is not going to leave us soon.
Under the new normal situation Motivation might be best fostered by dividing large goals into small, specific tasks that can be more easily accomplished but not so simple that they are boring and soon abandoned.
Avoid perfectionism lest the ultimate goal becomes an insurmountable challenge.
Reward yourself with virtual brownie points, small token of appreciation, as I often do for myself, then go on to accomplish the next task.
Think of what you can do for other people within the constrain of the unfathomable situation we all are put into.
Get associated with people who can lent a helping hand and a shoulder to cry upon, don’t by carried away by the internet influencers and glib talkers on the net, to frustrate you and divert your focus to their advantages
Always verify what you are seeing / hearing from the people you trust.
Remember, it is not important to hold all the good cards in life. But it is important how well you play with the cards which you hold…. at SOLE (Self Organised Learning Environment) we hold hands, with our participants, mostly adult learners, till they reach their PURPOSE.