Understanding Motivation: Insights from “Off the Waitlist”
One of the core concepts we talked about in our book Off the Waitlist is motivation. Mark Twain said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” Think about mornings—do you feel like getting out of bed early? What helps you to get up? What activities have helped you to get in the grooves?
If you are like me, the list may be something like this: coffee, a nice breakfast, a 10-minute yoga session, a cup of cold ice water. All we list here are things that make you feel good or satisfied. This can be praise, money, food, or a simple “good morning” from someone. It can be external or internal. It is something that triggers your brain to release dopamine, a chemical in your brain that makes you feel happy and driven.
What is something that makes your child motivated? Here are a couple of questions that you can ask yourself:
What are your favorite activities? What is your favorite food?
Where are places child enjoys, like indoors and outdoors?
What are your favorite people, animals, characters, or actions child will engage with?
What does your child do when given free or downtime?
How does he/she entertain themselves?
What activities does your child do with or engage with the family?
Are there toys your child likes to play with?
Finding out what makes your child happy is the first step to a successful program. That is why it is listed as the first core concept in our book. It is also the first skill we teach parents. Sign up to get more tools on how to teach your child. Or book a free 30-minute consultation.
