Our discussion on motivation in class the other day really got me thinking about what motivates me to do well in school- is it more external or more internal? If you asked me before class, I would have told you that I am very intrinsically motivated to do well in school. However, getting good grades and a high gpa are external motivators.. so I'm not completely intrinsically motivated like I thought- but that's not a bad thing. I believe that having the correct balance of internal and external motivation is perfect, and you shouldn't have too much of one or the other. I am going to school to be a Special Education teacher. Now, while getting the good grades and the certification for my job are my external motivation, the love of working with children who have special needs is my intrinsic motivation. I want nothing more than to work with students who have special needs and watch them grow as individuals. This has been a passion of mine since I was in third grade, and my intrinsic motivation has kept me going this long.
Besides work, I am very intrinsically motivated in sports. During lacrosse, I play a mental mind game with myself to keep me going on the field everyday. However, I can't give myself all the credit. As much as it is me, personally, that motivates me to continue to step onto that field everyday, my team is a huge external motivator as well.
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