Topic: Motivation
Prepared by Michael Krigline, MA
(2007) www.krigline.com
Teachers
(or others who want to know how I use this in an English Corner): see
below.
Notes: a quote is something in quotation
marks (“ ”) to show that it is exactly what someone wrote or said. This
symbol
�
comes before discussion questions.
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How would YOU define motivation?
Motivation (mo´te-vâ¹shen)—def:
that which provides an incentive or moves us to action; what pushes us
forward.
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What are the primary sources of motivation?
INTRINSIC (motivation from
within oneself)
I have come to the conclusion that my subjective
account of my motivation is largely mythical on almost all occasions. I
don't know why I do things. J. B. S. Haldane
The first glance at History convinces us that the
actions of men proceed from their needs, their passions, their characters
and talents. Georg Hegel (1770–1831), German
philosopher.
Seeing yourself as you want to be is the key to
personal growth. Anonymous
The only lifelong, reliable motivations are those
that come from within, and one of the strongest of those is the joy and
pride that grow from knowing that you've just done something as well as
you can do it. Lloyd Dobens and Clare
Crawford-Mason, Authors
Live out of your imagination, not your history.
Stephen Covey (American Author)
What we obtain too cheap we esteem too little; it is
dearness only that gives everything its value.
Thomas Paine (US Founding Father)
EXTRINSIC (when other people help motivate us)
Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is
made by the friends whom we choose. Chinese
Proverb
If I have seen farther than others, it is because I
was standing on the shoulders of giants. Issac
Newton
The only motivation I need to write a musical is a
phone call from the producer. Cole Porter
The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people
say you cannot do. Walter Bagehot (1826 – 1877)
Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
There’s an enduring American compulsion to be on the
side of the angels. Expediency alone has never been an adequate American
reason for doing anything. When actions are judged, they go before the bar
of God, where Mom and the Flag closely flank His presence.
Jonathan Raban (b. 1942), British author, critic.
Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim
of weak ones. C. C. Colton (1780–1832), English
author, clergyman.
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What can distract us from what motivates us?
To receive applause for works which do not demand all
our powers hinders our advance towards a perfecting of our spirit. It
usually means that thereafter we stand still. G.
C. Lichtenberg (1742–99), German physicist, philosopher.
A dog in a kennel barks at
his fleas; a dog hunting does not notice them.
Chinese Proverb
A ship in a harbor is safe, but that is not what
ships are built for. Unknown
Heaven cannot help those who do not seize
opportunities. Chinese Proverb
I would rather fail in a cause that will ultimately
triumph than to triumph in a cause that will ultimately fail.
Woodrow Wilson (US President, 1913-1921)
The only failure a man ought to fear is failure in
cleaving to the purpose he sees to be best.
George Eliot (1819–80), English novelist, editor.
The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make
anything. Edward Phelps
Dost thou love life?
Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.
Benjamin Franklin (US Founding Father)
Life's Tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise
too late. Benjamin Franklin (US Founding Father)
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Are all people motivated in the same way? Why
is this important?
Every woman is supposed to have the same set of
motives, or else to be a monster. George Eliot
(1819–80), English novelist, editor; speaking of society’s expectations of
women.
From his cradle to his grave a man never does a
single thing which has any FIRST AND FOREMOST object but one— to secure
peace of mind, spiritual comfort, for HIMSELF.
Mark Twain (1835–1910), U.S. author/humorist
I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing
I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who
have sought and found how to serve. Albert
Schweitzer (1875-1965, German physician, theologian, musician; 1952 Nobel
Peace Prize)
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How do we motivate others?
Not the cry, but the flight of the wild duck, leads
the flock to fly and follow. Chinese Proverb
. . . most of the problems of education are problems
of motivation, as teachers try to rush things. They talk of geography
before the child knows the way around his own backyard. They teach history
before the child understands anything about adult motivation. . . . It
would be far better to let questions arise naturally. . . . When a child
is self-motivated, the teacher cannot keep him from learning.
C. John Sommerville, Author
In these years we are witnessing the gigantic
spectacle of innumerable human lives wandering about lost in their own
labyrinths, through not having anything to which to give themselves.
José Ortega y Gasset (1883–1955), Spanish
essayist, philosopher.
>>
Final Thoughts:
Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation
determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.
Lou Holtz (US Football coach)
No one, who has lived even for a fleeting moment for
something other than life in its conventional sense (and has experienced
the exaltation that this feeling produces), can then renounce his new
freedom so easily. André Breton (1896–1966),
French artist.
Superstars strive for approbation; heroes walk alone.
Superstars crave consensus; heroes define themselves by the judgment of a
future that they see it as their task to bring about. Superstars seek
success in a technique for eliciting support; heroes pursue success as the
outgrowth of inner values. Henry A. Kissinger (b.
1923), U.S. politician, Secretary of State; in referring to W. Churchill
as the “quintessential hero.” (Do you want to be a superstar, a
hero, or something else?)
When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced;
live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.
Unknown
Sources include: www.famous-quotations.com;
www.quotationspage.com; quotesandsayings.com; /followyourdreams.com;
www.motivationalquotes.com; Columbia (U Press) Dict. of Quotations
Note: A quote's original source is not
always known, and authenticity has not been verified.
To find out about an author, type the
name into the Google search box on my home page.
Note to teachers or
English Corner leaders:
This guide was created for use in China,
but could be adapted to any group of English-learners. To lead this
discussion with more than 10 people, I encourage you to train students in
advance to lead subgroups. A few days before the large "English Corner,"
go over the quotes and questions with your "leaders" and answer their
questions. Those below "band 4 level" will have difficulty with the
language, so encourage the leaders to simplify the quotes or to present
paraphrases. Then, when leading the larger English Corner, I present the
first section as a large group discussion, and then we break into smaller
groups. My student-leaders ask the discussion questions and try to get
answers. Then members of the group read the quotations, say what they
think each one means, and/or ask questions. After 15-20 minutes, we all come back together, get feedback on
what the groups discussed, and then encourage participants to find a
different group to join.
This resource was created for our students under my
understanding of "fair use" for educational resources.
Prepared by Michael Krigline, 2007 (www.krigline.com). As far as I am concerned, people are allowed to print/copy
it for personal or classroom use.
(see Website Standards and Use Policy)
