When I talk with people about TV series that I watch, I never get asked questions like:
“How do you have time to watch television?”
“You don’t get paid to watch TV, so why do you do it?”
Yet, when I talk with people about blogging, Twitter chats, the Facebook Live show my friend and I just started, etc. I am often met with questions like:
“How do you have time for writing and tweeting? I could never find time for that.”
“You don’t get paid to host a Facebook Live show or to write blog posts, so why do you do it?”
The other day, I watched this video adapted from Daniel Pink’s talk about motivation. This information about what really motivates people has so many implications, from helping me understand the methods behind my madness to helping all of us understand how to help students feel motivated to learn.
To explain my madness, let’s picture a big tank, like a propane tank. Except that it is not filled with propane, it is filled energy.
Everything you do adds to the tank or takes away from the tank.
The things you love to do, that you are passionate about, fill the tank. For me, things like getting creative, trying new things, making someone’s day, helping others, and being playful fill my tank.
The things you don’t like to do but feel like you have to do, take fuel out of your energy tank. For me, doing paperwork or the dishes, remembering the five thousand things I need to pack in the car before I leave the house, and dealing with selfishness are energy depleters.
How often do you fill your tank?
How often do you something you absolutely love to do?
How often do you pursue something with excited curiosity?
When you wish time would stop because you are having so much fun?
How often do you empty your tank?
How often do you plop down on the couch at the end of the day, bleary-eyed and feeling sad for no particular reason?
How often are you doing things you don’t like to do, rushing through the task as quickly as possible?
When you wish the minutes away instead of enjoying them?
Are you running on empty, or does your tank overfloweth?
What about our students?
How many opportunities do they have to fill their tanks? Things they explore with excited curiosity, where they want time to stop because they love it so much?
How many tank-depleting tasks does a typical student have to do in a day?
How does the fullness of their tank relate to their enjoyment of school?
What happens when a student’s tank runs out?
Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity, because if you’re passionate about something, then you’re more willing to take risks.
-Yo Yo Ma
Check out my latest tank-filler, with my friend Jon Wennstrom: https://www.facebook.com/allyson.apsey/videos/176185766263933/
So blessed to have you fill my tank! Let our positivity overflow baby!!!
Yes mam!!! Positivity overflow! Love it!
This is a wonderful post and comes at the perfect time to inspire me! I was letting so many things deplete my tank! I was feeling exhausted and completely unmotivated but in the last week I’ve made a conscious effort to have my “tank runneth over”. I still have a long way to go but I’m at least headed in the right direction! Thanks for inspiring me once again!
Yes! Love that Karen!! You deserve a full tank ????
This was fantastic! We have to chase our passions and create content for others to use and better themselves. Keep up the good work. Don’t allow yourself to get burnt out or caught up with the idea that you can’t take a break and then start again. I look forward to seeing what you do,
Thank you!