104: Motivation

Questions about the Video File:

1. How differently did you start to look at your life after watching this motivational video clip?
2. Which of the discussed keys attracted your attention more? Why?
3. What would your success depend upon if you only had 24 hours to live?
4. How specifically should you react to your comfort zone?
5. Where shall you find the major key to your success?

Please answer the following question:

• How could role models change your life?

General Questions:

1. How can you motivate yourself?
2. Which one is more important, intrinsic motivation or extrinsic motivation? Why?
3. How does motivation affect your language learning?
4. How differently would you act if today were the last day of your life? (Steve Jobs)
5. What is the difference between hope and motivation?

Related Quotes:

• Be your own cheerleader. (Brian Tracy)
• We ought to be in groups and among people who are greater than we really are. (Jim Rohn)
• Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek. (Mario Andretti)

Idioms, Proverbs and Expressions:

• Be on the edge of one’s seat: Be highly interested and excited about something
  • I was on the edge of my seat, watching that horror movie.
• A shot in the arm: A motivator or encouragement:
  • What I needed was just a shot in the arm to take the first step and start the formidable project.
• Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed: Eager and passionate about something
  • Betty, our new colleague, is pretty vivacious. In fact, I’ve not seen a person to be so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
• Go the extra mile: Do your tasks beyond expectations
  • This is a dead-end job. No matter how far you go the extra mile, you should not expect any raise in return.
• Eager beaver: Overexcited and hardworking
  • “On Monday mornings, I cannot be an eager beaver” I boldly said that to my overbearing boss.
• Go for it: Used to encourage somebody to do all they can to accomplish a difficult task
  • “If you are badly in need of the job, just go for it!” my father advised me.
• Hang in there: Used to encourage a person to persevere in something in spite of difficulties
  • I know the task is really demanding, but you need to hang in there if you want to succeed.

Words and Phrases:

1. Stimulus: something that causes growth or activity, inducement, impetus
   • You can opt for appropriate stimuli for any corresponding responses. (Dr. Viktor Frankl)
2. Drive: A burning desire or strong need
   • There is an urgent drive for me to finish the project by the deadline.
3. Inspirational: Motivational 
   • Tony Robbins has been one of the most successful inspirational speakers worldwide.
4. Driving force: chief reason for doing something
   • She was so depressed and couldn’t find any driving force to get out of her comfort zone.
5. Impetus: something that triggers something else or makes it happen
   • That didactic short story gave me necessary impetus for coping with my fear.
6. Incentive: Something that encourages you to take necessary action or start a new task
   • The anticipation of rewards is a powerful incentive for young students to learn a second language. 
7. Enthusiasm: A strong desire to do something enjoyable
   • “This is a serious business. Enthusiasm is not the only criterion for success. You need to show your perseverance and commitment as well” said the boss to his staff.
8. Impulse: A sudden strong and temporary desire for something without thinking about its consequences:
   • Mature people can control their impulses and delay their gratification.