The psychology of self-motivation | Scott Geller | TEDxVirginiaTech

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker explores the concept of going 'Beyond Boundaries', emphasizing the importance of empowerment and self-motivation. By asking three key questions related to self-efficacy, response-efficacy, and worthiness, individuals can assess their sense of empowerment. The speaker advocates for feedback, recognition, choice, and community as essential elements to foster self-motivation. Through personal anecdotes and the power of storytelling, the talk encourages embracing interdependence and learning from each other to achieve personal growth and success.

Takeaways

• 🏛 Beyond Boundaries: The speaker emphasizes the importance of going beyond the rules and restrictions set by parents, teachers, and supervisors to achieve more than what is required.
• 🌟 Inspirational Leadership: Leaders, teachers, and supervisors play a crucial role in inspiring individuals to exceed their duties, not out of obligation but out of desire.
• 🔑 Empowerment: Feeling empowered is linked to self-motivation and is distinguished from the management definition of empowerment, which focuses on achieving results with limited resources.
• ✅ Three Empowerment Questions: The script suggests asking three key questions to determine if an individual feels empowered: Can you do it? Will it work? Is it worth it?
• 💡 Self-Efficacy: Albert Bandura's concept of self-efficacy is highlighted, which is the belief in one's ability to accomplish a task, contributing to a sense of empowerment.
• 🔑 Response-Efficacy: The speaker introduces Bandura's concept of response-efficacy, which is the belief that the actions taken will lead to the desired outcome.
• 🎓 Education vs. Training: The script differentiates between education and training, with the latter implying a more direct application of knowledge with feedback.
• 🤔 Consequences and Motivation: B.F. Skinner's theory of 'selection by consequences' is discussed, emphasizing the role of consequences in driving behavior and motivation.
• 🌱 Growth Mindset: The speaker encourages developing a mindset of success seeking rather than failure avoidance, which can shift one's perspective and motivation.
• 🗣️ The Power of Choice: The perception of having choices in one's actions is linked to increased self-motivation and autonomy.
• 👫 Community and Social Support: A sense of community and relatedness is crucial for motivation and happiness, as social support plays a significant role in an individual's well-being.
• 📚 Learning from Each Other: The story of learning to play the drums illustrates the importance of teaching, learning, and the mutual exchange of knowledge and skills.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speech?

The main theme of the speech is 'Beyond Boundaries', which discusses the concept of going beyond the traditional rules, regulations, and restrictions to achieve self-motivation and empowerment.

Why is accountability important according to the speaker?

Accountability is important because it helps individuals, like the speaker, to do the right thing and to be held responsible by parents, teachers, and supervisors.

What does the speaker mean by 'beyond boundaries'?

'Beyond boundaries' refers to the idea of being inspired by leaders, teachers, and parents to not just meet expectations but to exceed them, driven by an internal desire rather than external pressure.

What is the definition of empowerment according to the management perspective mentioned in the script?

From a management perspective, empowerment is defined as the ability to 'get it done' with fewer resources and less time, essentially taking initiative and making things happen.

How does the speaker differentiate between 'education' and 'training'?

The speaker differentiates 'education' as a process that occurs in schools from elementary to college, while 'training' is associated with industry and involves doing a behavior and receiving feedback.

What are the three questions that can determine if someone feels empowered according to the research mentioned in the script?

The three questions are: 1) Can you do it? (self-efficacy), 2) Will it work? (response-efficacy), and 3) Is it worth it? These questions relate to an individual's belief in their capabilities, the effectiveness of the process, and the value of the outcome.

What is the difference between 'sex education' and 'sex training' as humorously mentioned by the speaker?

The difference is that 'education' implies theoretical knowledge, while 'training' implies practical application and feedback. The humor lies in the absurdity of the terms when applied to sensitive topics.

Why is it important to show people that their work is worthwhile according to the script?

It is important because when people believe in the value of their work, they are more likely to feel competent and self-motivated, which in turn can lead to higher productivity and satisfaction.

What does the speaker suggest as a way to inspire people to feel competent?

The speaker suggests giving people feedback, recognition, and showing them their competence as a way to inspire them to feel empowered and self-motivated.

How does the speaker define 'choice' in the context of self-motivation?

'Choice' is defined as the sense of autonomy and control individuals have over their actions, which contributes to their self-motivation according to B.F. Skinner's teachings.

What is the significance of the poem 'The cookie thief' in the speech?

The poem 'The cookie thief' serves as a metaphor for the importance of perspective and mindfulness in understanding situations and the actions of others, which relates to the overall theme of self-motivation and empowerment.

What are the 'four C words' mentioned by the speaker that can fuel self-motivation?

The 'four C words' are competence, consequences, choice, and community. These elements are believed to contribute to an individual's self-motivation and active caring for others.

How does the speaker's drum lesson story illustrate the principles discussed in the speech?

The drum lesson story illustrates the principles of competence, consequences, choice, and community. The speaker's experience with learning to play the drums and overcoming challenges shows how these elements can lead to self-motivation and personal growth.

What is the lesson the speaker learned from teaching his teacher how to do a drum roll?

The lesson is that we can always learn from each other, we need to have the humility to accept feedback, and the courage to speak up, which ties back to the themes of community and empowerment.