Motivation

Today we will look at the Psyched Up for Job Search post from November 15th, "Sustaining Motivation during Job Search". While most of what the post says can be geared to your job search, the focus is also applicable to any task you want to tackle (i.e. using Skills Tutor to improve your skills in order to do better on the TABE).

To view the post itself, please click on the Psych Up for Job Search blog on the right of this page and then be sure to come back to this post so we can analyze how this information can help you.

In this blog article, John and Doug say that maintaining the motivation you need to search for a new position day after day becomes a challenge. They suggest that there are strategies you can use to help you sustain your energy and drive. What makes someone motivated to do something? Psychologists use terms such as intrinsic and extrinsic to describe motivation. Basically, your motivation can come from within or from outside of yourself. What are the motivating factors you have for getting a new job or for entering into a job training program? Keeping these motivating factors in mind when you attempt the tasks that are necessary to succeed (using Skills Tutor, for example) will help you to stay "on task". I have read that one way to ensure that you keep these motivating factors in mind is to create a visual. Make a collage of words and pictures that will remind you why you are doing what you have to do.

Doug and John also point out that "action leads to motivation." They suggest you take a minute and define a couple of short term goals. As we discussed during our orientation to Skills Tutor, the best goals are SMART goals - they should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time sensitive. Be sure to list specific activities that will help you to achieve these goals. The blog suggests that you begin with the least desirable activities and move onto the more desirable activities next. As you complete each activity, it motivates you to do more. As you complete each goal, you are motivated to move to the next goal.

What do you think? How does this relate to what you are trying to do with Skills Tutor? I hope this gives you motivation to do Skills Tutor today.

If you would like to discuss in detail how you can be more motivated to begin or to use Skills Tutor, please contact me.