Motivation ..and how to Maintain it!

Being a successful Musician means…? Why focus on motivation? How does it relate to development as a musician in todays industry? Skills and Attributes Having resilience Having determination Having a ‘game plan’ (strategies) Having focus Identifying what you want Ability to be adaptable Capable communicator

‘Motivation?’ What types are there? Intrinsic Motivation Extrinsic Motivation Self-driven ‘to do’ Directly relates to achieving an overarching goal(s) Goals are related to meeting our ‘self- actualisation’ needs Accepting responsibility for one’s own ‘ok- ness’ in the face of life’s challenges. ‘Working doesn’t feel like working’ High comprehension of unmet needs Driven ‘to-do’ for someone else’s benefit and/or indirect benefit e.g. salary earning Indirectly related to achieving overarching goals, but can related to directly to small ones. ‘Work feels like work’ Non or low-acceptance for one’s own sense of ‘ok-ness’ Non or low comprehension of unmet needs

Maslow’s hierarchy of Needs

Unmet Needs Needs are ranked in priority as to where they are found in the pyramid; the lower down, the more urgent it requires satisfaction/resolution. As a rule, needs that remain unmet will always compromise the fulfilment of any of the others found above it. e.g. if you are unwell (Safety) you become less able to meet the needs of look after your child (Love/Belonging) and even less likely to feel confident or maintain a sense of self-esteem (Esteem) This can result in the effect of feeling unmotivated when it comes to meeting needs of the very highest order such as creativity (Self-actualisation). At this stage it appears unrealistic to meet your higher level needs.

Home Life vs Study Life Looking at the difference Home (everyday existence) Lower Levels Tertiary Study Higher levels Physiological (1st level) Safety (2nd level) Love/Belonging (3rd level) Esteem (4th level) Self-actualisation (5th level)

Home Life - Level 1, 2 and 3 Physiological, Safety, Love/Belonging These needs are the most urgent in our lives. Without giving these due attention, we are most at risk of suffering from a lack of motivation! Meeting needs at these levels are fundamental for ‘ok-ness’. Without their satisfaction it is virtually impossible to meet higher level needs Identifying needs we have at these levels are simpler to recognise. The business of being ‘ok’ is the business of these lower levels BRAINSTORM ACTIVITY! – Think of your life right now (or recently). Identify an unmet need you have at each level (where possible). Note down what course of action you might need to take to order to meet it.

Tertiary Study – Level 4 and 5 Esteem, Self-actualisation Needs at this level address the bigger question of our greater existence or purpose in life - the ‘why’ and the ‘who am I’ Identifying needs at these levels are often more challenging to interpret and breakdown e.g. ‘I need to be an original artist’ (?) Satisfying high level needs effectively are very much dependent on first three levels needs being met The business of studying is the business of addressing our 4th and 5th level needs. Goals set at these levels relate to our awareness of our ‘best’ self, not just our ‘ok’ self BRAINSTORM ACTIVITY – Review your goals from the beginning of Term 1. Identify what your higher overarching needs are (where possible). This is likely to be challenging task in some cases. If so, think of them in terms of meeting your aspirations of ‘self-actualisation’ and break them down into concrete tasks. ‘To meet the need of (...)I will (…)’

What Can I do to Maintain Motivation? Staircase to success Be aware that you have a range of needs that require your attention and identification. Be mindful that you require strategies to address them effectively e.g. how to resolve a problem. Be responsible for your own sense of ‘ok-ness’ (even if that means asking for help when you’re not ok!) Look to address and your 1st, 2nd and 3rd level needs first! Acknowledge that your 4th and 5th level needs are your focus for study. Actually do what needs to be done to your satisfy your needs (relates to strategies (see above)) Understand that not meeting needs will make you less resilient to change. This can negatively impact upon your level of motivation over time. Use this to motivate you!! Identify that feeling ‘not ok’ relates to needs that remain unmet at the foundation levels (1, 2, and 3) Celebrate your successes and give yourself credit - even for the smallest accomplishments!

‘Motivation?’ Extrinsic Motivation Intrinsic Motivation Self-driven ‘to do’ Directly relates to achieving an overarching goal(s) Goals are related to meeting our ‘self-actualisation’ needs Accepting responsibility for one’s own ‘ok-ness’ in the face of life’s challenges. ‘Working doesn’t feel like working’ High comprehension of unmet needs Driven ‘to-do’ for someone else’s and/or indirect benefit e.g. salary earning Indirectly related to achieving overarching goals, but can related to directly to small ones. ‘Work feels like work’ Non or low-acceptance for one’s own sense of ‘ok-ness’ Non or low comprehension of unmet needs