There was a time when economy was not growing as fast as it is now. Employees were considered tools to produce goods and services, and there was only one difference between a good organization and a bad one: money. Organizations offering more money were good, and the ones offering less were not considered to be good.
But with the turning of a new century and with the younger generation taking over from the older ones, the entire scenario changed. The worldwide wave of globalization and liberalization also gave a fillip to the changing mindsets of the people. New studies in psychoanalysis brought forth some surprising facts: employees are not motivated solely by money, and employee behavior is directly related to their attitudes.
A systematic study on the behavioral patterns of employees in different organizations discovered that there can be a drastic change in the productivity of their work if they are given daily inspiration and motivation. Handling business operations became the secondary focus of the managers; the primary one was to tend to the needs of the employees and keep a watch on behavioral patterns.
Corporate bodies started hiring managers who could positively reinforce employee behaviors through the regular doses of motivation that lead to positive outcomes. Motivational trainers acquired great importance as they were given the responsibility to keep the entire business team happy and motivated.
Soon people started realizing the power of working with a motivated mindset. Employers understood this aspect of human psychology: by creating a congenial work environment they can make the work interesting, and by giving good wages, appreciating employees for the work done, and giving them job security, promotions and growth in the organization, they can take their business to the mountains of success. Motivation soon became a wonderful formula of success.
By Richard Romando
Friday, August 25, 2006
motivation : Are You Stuck In One Of The Common Motivation Traps?
Everyone is motivated. However they aren't always motivated by the things that we would like them to be motivated by.
There have been countless studies and case histories done on the subject of motivation. Although there are many similarities as well as differences in their ultimate results there are several concepts that can be pulled from all the research regardless of its focus or purpose.
Motivation is often seen as an illusive yet critical idea when we attempt to discover what seems to push some people forward while keeping others stuck in a way of thinking, acting or believing.
Let's look at a few common consequences of the available body of research.
One. No one can ever have it all or do it all. People have motivation in degrees. Some seem to be overflowing with it while other's have trouble getting out of bed each morning..
Two. It is individual. What motivates one person often has no affect on the next person.
Three. To be effective for the long term it must be an inside-out, not outside-in process or philosophy.
Four. The common types of motivation of fear and reward have their limitations and positive and negative consequences.
Five. People get it and lose it at various times in their life for very predictable and/or very illusive reasons.
Six. Goals, values, beliefs, expectations, attitudes, circumstances, perceptions and emotions all play a vital role in a persons ultimate motivation..
Seven. Where there is an inconsistency between talent or ability and outcomes, motivation, whether positive or negative, always plays a role in contributing to why.
Eight. You can't measure motivation. You can measure results but motivation is not the only factor contributing to results.
Nine. The word motivation contains the concepts of motive, goals or purpose and action. Purpose and motives can range from the idealistic, transitory and spiritual to the more concrete, practical and factual. Action can range from sporadic to focused, from a little to allot, from now to later.
Ten. No one can ever really know why another person does or does not do, feel or act in a certain way. Human behavior is somewhat predictable but it is not an absolute science.
Let's get back to the title of this article of common motivation traps. What are they?
As an employee as well as a business owner, father, speaker, consultant and trainer I have witnessed a variety of frustration among a great deal of people due to their lack of understanding of the concept of motivation and their relationship to and their responsibility for other people in their life.
Motivation and the amount of it, at any given time in a persons life, is a very personal thing. People can influence other people for good or for evil but the ultimate responsibility for a person's behavior is, has been and always will be, themselves. One of the greatest frustrations in a person's life is the unrealized expectation of another persons behavior. In other words, why won't my kids, spouse, parents, employees, customers, friends etc. act, think or feel the way I think they should? Why do these same people act, think and feel the way they do? Don't have a clue folks.
Our role as managers, parents, spouses, friends and so on is not to motivate other people. You see we can't really. Real motivation is an inside-out process. When we believe that we can motivate others, we are assuming motivation is an outside-in process. Our role is to create an environment where people would want to, and are able to motivate themselves.
If you look back at the two traditional motivators of fear and reward you will see that they 're both based on an outside-in philosophy. They are only as successful as the person being "motivated" is willing to let them influence them. For example if you use fear on an employee, let's say the threat of the loss of their job to get them to improve their performance. If they have the attitude, I don't need your job, I am a talented and hard working individual, I quit. Your threat was useless.
Fear and rewards as motivators are only effective if the person you are trying to motivate is concerned or interested in your threat of punishment or your reward. These motivators are really a motivational environment. Neither of these environments contribute to peak performance behavior within an individual. In the long term they are more negative than positive. Yes, even reward motivation can have its negative consequences.
People have not basically changed in the past several hundred years. Most people want the same things in life. Recognition and/or praise, challenge, a feeling they are making a contribution, security, to exercise the freedom of choice, the need to be in on things, to feel worthwhile and productive and the ability to have influence or control over their life and destiny.
If you want a motivated family, organization, team, department or group of any kind satisfy as many of the above needs for the individual or group as you can. If you want a de-motivated team, group, organization etc provide none of these.
By Tim Connor
There have been countless studies and case histories done on the subject of motivation. Although there are many similarities as well as differences in their ultimate results there are several concepts that can be pulled from all the research regardless of its focus or purpose.
Motivation is often seen as an illusive yet critical idea when we attempt to discover what seems to push some people forward while keeping others stuck in a way of thinking, acting or believing.
Let's look at a few common consequences of the available body of research.
One. No one can ever have it all or do it all. People have motivation in degrees. Some seem to be overflowing with it while other's have trouble getting out of bed each morning..
Two. It is individual. What motivates one person often has no affect on the next person.
Three. To be effective for the long term it must be an inside-out, not outside-in process or philosophy.
Four. The common types of motivation of fear and reward have their limitations and positive and negative consequences.
Five. People get it and lose it at various times in their life for very predictable and/or very illusive reasons.
Six. Goals, values, beliefs, expectations, attitudes, circumstances, perceptions and emotions all play a vital role in a persons ultimate motivation..
Seven. Where there is an inconsistency between talent or ability and outcomes, motivation, whether positive or negative, always plays a role in contributing to why.
Eight. You can't measure motivation. You can measure results but motivation is not the only factor contributing to results.
Nine. The word motivation contains the concepts of motive, goals or purpose and action. Purpose and motives can range from the idealistic, transitory and spiritual to the more concrete, practical and factual. Action can range from sporadic to focused, from a little to allot, from now to later.
Ten. No one can ever really know why another person does or does not do, feel or act in a certain way. Human behavior is somewhat predictable but it is not an absolute science.
Let's get back to the title of this article of common motivation traps. What are they?
As an employee as well as a business owner, father, speaker, consultant and trainer I have witnessed a variety of frustration among a great deal of people due to their lack of understanding of the concept of motivation and their relationship to and their responsibility for other people in their life.
Motivation and the amount of it, at any given time in a persons life, is a very personal thing. People can influence other people for good or for evil but the ultimate responsibility for a person's behavior is, has been and always will be, themselves. One of the greatest frustrations in a person's life is the unrealized expectation of another persons behavior. In other words, why won't my kids, spouse, parents, employees, customers, friends etc. act, think or feel the way I think they should? Why do these same people act, think and feel the way they do? Don't have a clue folks.
Our role as managers, parents, spouses, friends and so on is not to motivate other people. You see we can't really. Real motivation is an inside-out process. When we believe that we can motivate others, we are assuming motivation is an outside-in process. Our role is to create an environment where people would want to, and are able to motivate themselves.
If you look back at the two traditional motivators of fear and reward you will see that they 're both based on an outside-in philosophy. They are only as successful as the person being "motivated" is willing to let them influence them. For example if you use fear on an employee, let's say the threat of the loss of their job to get them to improve their performance. If they have the attitude, I don't need your job, I am a talented and hard working individual, I quit. Your threat was useless.
Fear and rewards as motivators are only effective if the person you are trying to motivate is concerned or interested in your threat of punishment or your reward. These motivators are really a motivational environment. Neither of these environments contribute to peak performance behavior within an individual. In the long term they are more negative than positive. Yes, even reward motivation can have its negative consequences.
People have not basically changed in the past several hundred years. Most people want the same things in life. Recognition and/or praise, challenge, a feeling they are making a contribution, security, to exercise the freedom of choice, the need to be in on things, to feel worthwhile and productive and the ability to have influence or control over their life and destiny.
If you want a motivated family, organization, team, department or group of any kind satisfy as many of the above needs for the individual or group as you can. If you want a de-motivated team, group, organization etc provide none of these.
By Tim Connor
motivation : The True Cost Of A Lack of Motivation
And what a lack of motivation means..
As you read this article you will start to understand why a lack of motivation is costing you even more than you realize.
As you read the story below notice how much you have in common with me...
Growing up I never really had much trouble getting things done. I was told what to do by my parents or by my teachers and I did what was expected of me because it was the easiest choice for me.
Getting punished never appealed to me very much.
Then as I got older and especially when I joined the workforce I could get away with doing less and with leaving things until the deadline approached.
In fact in one company where I worked it made no sense finishing work before the deadlines because management kept moving the goal posts.
And very often I worked with people who refused to stretch themselves. This culture of doing as little as you can and appearing to be productive slowly dragged me down.
Over the years as a result of experiences like these I developed bad habits.
One of those habits was a lack of motivation habit.
I can see now how a few bad choices in how I approached work affected all aspects of my life.
The same may be true for you...
What we did over the years was create bad habits that need to be given up and replaced with a new way of behaving.
Do you realize what these bad habits have cost you in your life?
1. You missed the sense of accomplishment and the satisfaction that comes with succeeding on a big scale.
2. You lost the respect of your peers and you are excluded from the winners circle.
3. You no longer feel in control of your destiny and in fact you are a victim of circumstance.
4. You earn far less than people of lesser intelligence and ability.
5. You worry about the future because you fear you may not be able to deal with things.
A lack of motivation is a bad habit you can and must change.
Now is the time to take charge of this situation. I can tell you from my own experience that nothing will change until you decide to change.
And nothing will improve until you improve it...
You owe it to yourself and to the people who care about you to seize the day and make your life something to be proud of.
The satisfaction that comes from living life on your own terms is a wonderful gift you deserve to enjoy. And you will only have this once you know how to motivate yourself to create the life you dream of.
My income jumped, my social life improved dramatically and new opportunities for having even more of what I wanted all came about for me. But only after I learned the secrets of self-motivation and how to kill a lack of motivation.
The world did not change. Other people did not change. I changed.
Only When YOU change will your world change for the better.
Before I go...
Think of those people who look down on your lack of progress and take you for granted. Think of that sense you have of not been in control.
All of these feelings of dissatisfaction are not going to disappear-- in fact they will dominate your life as the years pass you by.
These issues are not going to go away all by themselves.
I tried the wait and see approach - it does not work!
Thankfully there is a solution, a proven way of taking charge of your life and developing self-motivation.
*** Motivation is an essential life skill and you can discover how to be motivated and stay motivated. ***
Although some lucky people seem to be born highly motivated, if you are of at least average intelligence you can learn how to be motivated.
No matter how unmotivated you have been up to now.
The secret to being motivated is to discover the motivation blueprint that is right for you.
Imagine no longer having a lack of motivation!
By Peter Murphy
As you read this article you will start to understand why a lack of motivation is costing you even more than you realize.
As you read the story below notice how much you have in common with me...
Growing up I never really had much trouble getting things done. I was told what to do by my parents or by my teachers and I did what was expected of me because it was the easiest choice for me.
Getting punished never appealed to me very much.
Then as I got older and especially when I joined the workforce I could get away with doing less and with leaving things until the deadline approached.
In fact in one company where I worked it made no sense finishing work before the deadlines because management kept moving the goal posts.
And very often I worked with people who refused to stretch themselves. This culture of doing as little as you can and appearing to be productive slowly dragged me down.
Over the years as a result of experiences like these I developed bad habits.
One of those habits was a lack of motivation habit.
I can see now how a few bad choices in how I approached work affected all aspects of my life.
The same may be true for you...
What we did over the years was create bad habits that need to be given up and replaced with a new way of behaving.
Do you realize what these bad habits have cost you in your life?
1. You missed the sense of accomplishment and the satisfaction that comes with succeeding on a big scale.
2. You lost the respect of your peers and you are excluded from the winners circle.
3. You no longer feel in control of your destiny and in fact you are a victim of circumstance.
4. You earn far less than people of lesser intelligence and ability.
5. You worry about the future because you fear you may not be able to deal with things.
A lack of motivation is a bad habit you can and must change.
Now is the time to take charge of this situation. I can tell you from my own experience that nothing will change until you decide to change.
And nothing will improve until you improve it...
You owe it to yourself and to the people who care about you to seize the day and make your life something to be proud of.
The satisfaction that comes from living life on your own terms is a wonderful gift you deserve to enjoy. And you will only have this once you know how to motivate yourself to create the life you dream of.
My income jumped, my social life improved dramatically and new opportunities for having even more of what I wanted all came about for me. But only after I learned the secrets of self-motivation and how to kill a lack of motivation.
The world did not change. Other people did not change. I changed.
Only When YOU change will your world change for the better.
Before I go...
Think of those people who look down on your lack of progress and take you for granted. Think of that sense you have of not been in control.
All of these feelings of dissatisfaction are not going to disappear-- in fact they will dominate your life as the years pass you by.
These issues are not going to go away all by themselves.
I tried the wait and see approach - it does not work!
Thankfully there is a solution, a proven way of taking charge of your life and developing self-motivation.
*** Motivation is an essential life skill and you can discover how to be motivated and stay motivated. ***
Although some lucky people seem to be born highly motivated, if you are of at least average intelligence you can learn how to be motivated.
No matter how unmotivated you have been up to now.
The secret to being motivated is to discover the motivation blueprint that is right for you.
Imagine no longer having a lack of motivation!
By Peter Murphy
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
motivation : Motivation and engagement
Motivation and engagement in Edna Dunn-Rogers' multiage class of third- and fourth- grade students is readily evident. It's not the curriculum or specific models used (though those things are important), instead it is the philosophies that guide her practice which make the biggest impact on students. She believes strongly that children's environments shape their minds. She also believes that when they are in her classroom, she is their environment. The way she interacts with them plays a critical role in their development as students and individuals. She sees that her role is to provide a positive environment for students and then to let them learn in whatever way is best for them. Success is measured on an individual basis, recognizing that it means different things to different students. With this understanding, Dunn-Rogers begins each year by emphasizing the importance of community in the classroom. She tells her students that they are a family and that everything that happens in the class should build up the family. As a group they discuss hopes and expectations for each of them. The students encourage each other to do their best work and portray caring attitudes toward one another. They understand that they are responsible for their own actions.
She also sets the tone by emphasizing the importance of respect -- respect for differences, for choices, and for diversity in general. Throughout the year she tries to help students broaden their perspective in how they view others. They learn that there is more than one way to find an answer. Schoolwide activities at Meadows, such as the annual Multicultural Fair, also give students a deeper appreciation for diversity. This event taps into the school's rich cultural variety by bringing in families and cultural experts for a one-day celebration that offers the community a close-up look at the food, dress, dance, and customs from around the world. With more than nine unique cultures represented at Meadows, the event raises awareness among teachers, students, and parents and helps them recognize the importance of diversity in their community.
In matters of classroom management, consistency is key in Dunn-Rogers' room. Not one to yell, she works instead toward helping students become metacognitive thinkers who can manage themselves. When problems do arise, they are dealt with directly. Solutions are followed through with and successes are always celebrated.
Students are empowered in Dunn-Rogers' classroom to be more than learners. They are also teachers. At the beginning of the school year she asks students what subject they feel they are particularly good in. Based on their responses, students all have the opportunity to become peer teachers in one of several classroom study groups. Each study group of four students meets on a regular basis, with the peer teacher leading and assisting fellow students. There are study groups for math and reading, as well as social studies. Most of the groups meet three times a week, oftentimes during recess (the groups do not meet during regular instruction time). This instructional strategy provides struggling students with additional practice. It also bolsters the confidence of peer teachers who recognize the importance of their contribution to the classroom community.
Beyond instruction, Dunn-Rogers feels that it is vitally important to share in the lives of her students. To her it means spending personal time with them. If they ask her to attend their church, she will. If they want her to come to their home, she does. It's her way of letting them know how much they mean to her. This level of attention doesn't end when they leave her classroom, either; she strives to stay in touch with students as they progress throughout their lives. This means attending graduation ceremonies, making phone calls, or doing whatever is necessary to communicate her concern for their success. She knows that her enthusiasm and encouragement of each student can make the difference in a child's self-esteem and long-term growth.
by Dunn-Rogers
She also sets the tone by emphasizing the importance of respect -- respect for differences, for choices, and for diversity in general. Throughout the year she tries to help students broaden their perspective in how they view others. They learn that there is more than one way to find an answer. Schoolwide activities at Meadows, such as the annual Multicultural Fair, also give students a deeper appreciation for diversity. This event taps into the school's rich cultural variety by bringing in families and cultural experts for a one-day celebration that offers the community a close-up look at the food, dress, dance, and customs from around the world. With more than nine unique cultures represented at Meadows, the event raises awareness among teachers, students, and parents and helps them recognize the importance of diversity in their community.
In matters of classroom management, consistency is key in Dunn-Rogers' room. Not one to yell, she works instead toward helping students become metacognitive thinkers who can manage themselves. When problems do arise, they are dealt with directly. Solutions are followed through with and successes are always celebrated.
Students are empowered in Dunn-Rogers' classroom to be more than learners. They are also teachers. At the beginning of the school year she asks students what subject they feel they are particularly good in. Based on their responses, students all have the opportunity to become peer teachers in one of several classroom study groups. Each study group of four students meets on a regular basis, with the peer teacher leading and assisting fellow students. There are study groups for math and reading, as well as social studies. Most of the groups meet three times a week, oftentimes during recess (the groups do not meet during regular instruction time). This instructional strategy provides struggling students with additional practice. It also bolsters the confidence of peer teachers who recognize the importance of their contribution to the classroom community.
Beyond instruction, Dunn-Rogers feels that it is vitally important to share in the lives of her students. To her it means spending personal time with them. If they ask her to attend their church, she will. If they want her to come to their home, she does. It's her way of letting them know how much they mean to her. This level of attention doesn't end when they leave her classroom, either; she strives to stay in touch with students as they progress throughout their lives. This means attending graduation ceremonies, making phone calls, or doing whatever is necessary to communicate her concern for their success. She knows that her enthusiasm and encouragement of each student can make the difference in a child's self-esteem and long-term growth.
by Dunn-Rogers
motivation : Strategies for Increasing Motivation
Ample research has demonstrated that school practices can and do affect a student's level of motivation (Lumsden, 1994). Skinner and Belmont (1991) caution, however, that this may not always be for the better:
If left to run their typical course, teachers tend to magnify children's initial levels of motivation. This is fine for students who enter the classroom motivationally "rich"; they will "get rich." However, for students whose motivation is low, their typical classroom experiences may result in its further deterioration
To be sure, efforts to promote student motivation need not be directed solely at students who have low levels of motivation. All students (and all schools, for that matter) would benefit from higher levels of engagement and motivation to succeed (Anderman & Midgley, 1998; Lumsden, 1994). Following are suggestions for both teachers and administrators seeking to increase students' motivation to learn:
At the classroom level:
Use extrinsic rewards sparingly. If extrinsic motivators are to be used, they are most effective when rewards are closely related to the task accomplished. Also, rewards should only be given when they are clearly deserved. Giving a prize for minimally successful work sends the message that minimum effort is acceptable, and the reward then becomes meaningless.
Ensure that classroom expectations for performance and behavior are clear and consistent (Skinner & Belmont, 1991). Help students understand the criteria for individual assignments by giving them examples of high-, average-, and low-level work and then providing an opportunity to discuss how each piece was evaluated.
Make students feel welcome and supported (Lumsden, 1994). Elementary school students in particular need to feel that teachers are involved in their lives. Take time to get to know students, talk to them individually, and "express enjoyment in [your] interactions" (Skinner & Belmont, 1991).
Respond positively to student questions, and praise students verbally for work well done (Dev, 1997).
Work to build quality relationships with students, especially those considered to be at-risk and without other positive adult interaction; this is a critical factor of student engagement that allows children to foster a sense of connection with school (McCombs & Pope, 1994).
Break large tasks into a series of smaller goals (Lumsden, 1994). Doing so prevents students from becoming overwhelmed and discouraged by lengthy projects.
Promote mastery learning (Anderman & Midgley, 1998). "When a student completes an assignment that does not meet the expected criteria, give her or him one or more opportunities to tackle the task again, with guidelines on how to achieve the desired result"
Evaluate student work as soon as possible after project completion, and be sure that feedback is clear and constructive (Strong et al., 1995).
Evaluate students based on the task, not in comparison to other students (Anderman & Midgley, 1998; Dev, 1997; Lumsden, 1994).
At the school and district levels:
Make increasing student motivation a priority in school reform and restructuring efforts (Renchler, 1992; Skinner & Belmont, 1991).
Create a school culture that emphasizes the importance of academic achievement. Design schoolwide symbols to show students that learning is valuable and that the entire staff is invested in students' success (Renchler, 1992).
Model and communicate the value of lifelong learning (McCombs & Whisler, 1997;.
Develop a school climate that recognizes individual differences, encourages creativity, and gives both teachers and students a sense of autonomy. Particularly important is allowing students and teachers to have some degree of control over teaching and learning (McCombs & Whisler, 1997).
Support teachers' efforts to increase student motivation, encouraging student-centered learning and outcomes-based instruction (McCombs & Whisler, 1997; Renchler, 1992). Additionally, recognize teachers' individual learning needs and be supportive of their continuing education and involvement in research (McCombs & Whisler, 1997).
Provide and participate in professional development activities that deal with motivation, effective use of homework, and student engagement (Renchler, 1992).
Finally, develop ways to involve parents (McCombs & Whisler, 1997). Discuss the issue of motivation with parents, involve them in the school's efforts to increase student engagement, and "give them guidance in fostering [motivation] in their children".
© 2001 Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
If left to run their typical course, teachers tend to magnify children's initial levels of motivation. This is fine for students who enter the classroom motivationally "rich"; they will "get rich." However, for students whose motivation is low, their typical classroom experiences may result in its further deterioration
To be sure, efforts to promote student motivation need not be directed solely at students who have low levels of motivation. All students (and all schools, for that matter) would benefit from higher levels of engagement and motivation to succeed (Anderman & Midgley, 1998; Lumsden, 1994). Following are suggestions for both teachers and administrators seeking to increase students' motivation to learn:
At the classroom level:
Use extrinsic rewards sparingly. If extrinsic motivators are to be used, they are most effective when rewards are closely related to the task accomplished. Also, rewards should only be given when they are clearly deserved. Giving a prize for minimally successful work sends the message that minimum effort is acceptable, and the reward then becomes meaningless.
Ensure that classroom expectations for performance and behavior are clear and consistent (Skinner & Belmont, 1991). Help students understand the criteria for individual assignments by giving them examples of high-, average-, and low-level work and then providing an opportunity to discuss how each piece was evaluated.
Make students feel welcome and supported (Lumsden, 1994). Elementary school students in particular need to feel that teachers are involved in their lives. Take time to get to know students, talk to them individually, and "express enjoyment in [your] interactions" (Skinner & Belmont, 1991).
Respond positively to student questions, and praise students verbally for work well done (Dev, 1997).
Work to build quality relationships with students, especially those considered to be at-risk and without other positive adult interaction; this is a critical factor of student engagement that allows children to foster a sense of connection with school (McCombs & Pope, 1994).
Break large tasks into a series of smaller goals (Lumsden, 1994). Doing so prevents students from becoming overwhelmed and discouraged by lengthy projects.
Promote mastery learning (Anderman & Midgley, 1998). "When a student completes an assignment that does not meet the expected criteria, give her or him one or more opportunities to tackle the task again, with guidelines on how to achieve the desired result"
Evaluate student work as soon as possible after project completion, and be sure that feedback is clear and constructive (Strong et al., 1995).
Evaluate students based on the task, not in comparison to other students (Anderman & Midgley, 1998; Dev, 1997; Lumsden, 1994).
At the school and district levels:
Make increasing student motivation a priority in school reform and restructuring efforts (Renchler, 1992; Skinner & Belmont, 1991).
Create a school culture that emphasizes the importance of academic achievement. Design schoolwide symbols to show students that learning is valuable and that the entire staff is invested in students' success (Renchler, 1992).
Model and communicate the value of lifelong learning (McCombs & Whisler, 1997;.
Develop a school climate that recognizes individual differences, encourages creativity, and gives both teachers and students a sense of autonomy. Particularly important is allowing students and teachers to have some degree of control over teaching and learning (McCombs & Whisler, 1997).
Support teachers' efforts to increase student motivation, encouraging student-centered learning and outcomes-based instruction (McCombs & Whisler, 1997; Renchler, 1992). Additionally, recognize teachers' individual learning needs and be supportive of their continuing education and involvement in research (McCombs & Whisler, 1997).
Provide and participate in professional development activities that deal with motivation, effective use of homework, and student engagement (Renchler, 1992).
Finally, develop ways to involve parents (McCombs & Whisler, 1997). Discuss the issue of motivation with parents, involve them in the school's efforts to increase student engagement, and "give them guidance in fostering [motivation] in their children".
© 2001 Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
motivation : How to Motivate Other People
An effective manager, or parent, gets the jobs done by motivating and directing the other people in the group. Motivating your colleagues, (or worse – your children!), is a skilled and challenging task. An enormous amount of research has been carried out but researchers have not always managed to explain their findings clearly. This article aims to explain how to motivate others in a jargon free way.
There are two main ways people are motivated.
Research in the UK has shown that just over 40% of us are motivated towards pleasure, about 40% away from pain, and almost 20% can be motivated either way.
What do I mean? Well, if you are motivated towards pleasure you are likely to complete work before the deadline so you can have the pleasure of relaxing afterwards, you go to the gym for the pleasure of looking good, you study a course for the pleasure of learning and the new job you can apply for. These people are likely to actively look for ways to improve their work, relationships and life.
If you are motivated away from pain you are likely to complete the work when you have must to avoid the pain of being criticized for not completing it, you go to the gym to avoid the pain of replacing the clothes you’ve outgrown, you study a course to avoid the pain of being made redundant.
How do you tell how a person is motivated?
You can get a quick rough guide by asking them a question which identifies how they go about making decisions and listen carefully to their answer. For example, you could ask, “how do you pick your holiday destination (or car/football team/children’s school/career, etc.)?” People who are motivated towards pleasure will tell you about the great weather/accommodation/journey/food/facilities available. People who are motivated away from pain will tell how it avoids the worst of the heat/the unknowns of new accommodation/long transfers/dodgy food etc.
How does this help?
When you know how a colleague or loved one is motivated, you can ask them to do things in the right way.
For example: imagine you have a tedious task which must be completed before you can start more interesting activities, for a person motivated towards pleasure it would motivate them if you said; “Once we’ve finished this we can begin (the barbeque/interesting activity)”. For a person who is motivated away from pain it would be more effective if you said; “ We need to finish this or the consequences will be (we’ll lose the contract/we won’t have time for a barbeque/etc)”.
by Helen Miller
There are two main ways people are motivated.
Research in the UK has shown that just over 40% of us are motivated towards pleasure, about 40% away from pain, and almost 20% can be motivated either way.
What do I mean? Well, if you are motivated towards pleasure you are likely to complete work before the deadline so you can have the pleasure of relaxing afterwards, you go to the gym for the pleasure of looking good, you study a course for the pleasure of learning and the new job you can apply for. These people are likely to actively look for ways to improve their work, relationships and life.
If you are motivated away from pain you are likely to complete the work when you have must to avoid the pain of being criticized for not completing it, you go to the gym to avoid the pain of replacing the clothes you’ve outgrown, you study a course to avoid the pain of being made redundant.
How do you tell how a person is motivated?
You can get a quick rough guide by asking them a question which identifies how they go about making decisions and listen carefully to their answer. For example, you could ask, “how do you pick your holiday destination (or car/football team/children’s school/career, etc.)?” People who are motivated towards pleasure will tell you about the great weather/accommodation/journey/food/facilities available. People who are motivated away from pain will tell how it avoids the worst of the heat/the unknowns of new accommodation/long transfers/dodgy food etc.
How does this help?
When you know how a colleague or loved one is motivated, you can ask them to do things in the right way.
For example: imagine you have a tedious task which must be completed before you can start more interesting activities, for a person motivated towards pleasure it would motivate them if you said; “Once we’ve finished this we can begin (the barbeque/interesting activity)”. For a person who is motivated away from pain it would be more effective if you said; “ We need to finish this or the consequences will be (we’ll lose the contract/we won’t have time for a barbeque/etc)”.
by Helen Miller
motivation : Are You Motivated Enough to Do Justice to Your Job?
To carry out any sort of work, the most essential thing required is motivation. A person is essentially required to stay motivated to perform any work. Motivation literally means stimulating the interest of a person to act in a particular way. This can be somewhat likened to cranking an engine.
How Can You Tell If You Are Not Motivated?
It is not difficult to tell. Things begin to look gloomy. Lethargic attitudes creep in. But the tragic part is, before you notice it there is else, perhaps your employer, who has noticed it already.
1. If you are a line employee, you will find more alibis and excuses to take breaks than normal. Although the work will not pile up for you, unlike for those who work in administrative jobs, it will eventually negatively affect the business.
2. You are frustrated about your own performance; your output does not reflect a healthy picture, and you are unprepared to take the blame for it.
3. Unwillingness or lack of interest to go to the office. Unfortunately, this is often evident even inside the office.
Why Does You Feel Unmotivated?
Although there are a multitude of reasons, the most common and important ones are:
1. Feeling of inferiority due to lack of training or expertise. Inferiority could also originate due to a subordinate or a colleague skyrocketing past you.
2. Your hard work and exemplary performance is not recognized and you clearly see a good chance being wasted due to rejection of your ideas. The latter reason can further demotivate you if you suspect a conspiracy, even if you can not substantiate it.
3. Soured relationship with boss or with a coworker and no significant increase in salary all contribute to render you unmotivated.
4. A souring relationship with a spouse, broken marriage or worse, death of a family member can devastate anyone easily. It is natural for anyone to become demotivated under these circumstances, despite efforts to contain emotions. Domestic problems like this of different degrees can quickly manifest as dampened spirits at work.
The Professional Risks Of A Demotivated Working Style
Not recuperating and failing to come to terms with life and work have a potential danger of leading to your dismissal. Languishing in such state of mind in professional work environments, with self-pity, where work demands your full attention, negatively affects your professional life.
Try meditation, walking in the wee hours, joining a social club or any unconventional way to come out of that negative feeling as fast as you can. If all else fails, you may have to look for another job.
by Tony Jacowski
How Can You Tell If You Are Not Motivated?
It is not difficult to tell. Things begin to look gloomy. Lethargic attitudes creep in. But the tragic part is, before you notice it there is else, perhaps your employer, who has noticed it already.
1. If you are a line employee, you will find more alibis and excuses to take breaks than normal. Although the work will not pile up for you, unlike for those who work in administrative jobs, it will eventually negatively affect the business.
2. You are frustrated about your own performance; your output does not reflect a healthy picture, and you are unprepared to take the blame for it.
3. Unwillingness or lack of interest to go to the office. Unfortunately, this is often evident even inside the office.
Why Does You Feel Unmotivated?
Although there are a multitude of reasons, the most common and important ones are:
1. Feeling of inferiority due to lack of training or expertise. Inferiority could also originate due to a subordinate or a colleague skyrocketing past you.
2. Your hard work and exemplary performance is not recognized and you clearly see a good chance being wasted due to rejection of your ideas. The latter reason can further demotivate you if you suspect a conspiracy, even if you can not substantiate it.
3. Soured relationship with boss or with a coworker and no significant increase in salary all contribute to render you unmotivated.
4. A souring relationship with a spouse, broken marriage or worse, death of a family member can devastate anyone easily. It is natural for anyone to become demotivated under these circumstances, despite efforts to contain emotions. Domestic problems like this of different degrees can quickly manifest as dampened spirits at work.
The Professional Risks Of A Demotivated Working Style
Not recuperating and failing to come to terms with life and work have a potential danger of leading to your dismissal. Languishing in such state of mind in professional work environments, with self-pity, where work demands your full attention, negatively affects your professional life.
Try meditation, walking in the wee hours, joining a social club or any unconventional way to come out of that negative feeling as fast as you can. If all else fails, you may have to look for another job.
by Tony Jacowski
Thursday, August 03, 2006
motivation : The Seven Keys to Motivation
Motivation. It’s a complicated subject that is studied by many and understood by few. Virtually every aspect of human life -- from the mundane to the life-changing -- is guided, swayed and altered by motivating factors.
For instance, what to have for dinner may be motivated by a desire to lose or gain weight. Whether or not to attend a business seminar may be motivated by the speakers, location and cost. When and where to buy new clothing may be motivated by a long list of personal preferences as well as the changing seasons and weather conditions.
Even reading this article is a motivated behavior. Do you like the style of writing? Are you curious about the subject matter? Do you have a desire to learn new information? Do you have enough time to finish reading? If the answers are no, you probably won’t continue reading!
But since you have continued, you are obviously motivated. You want to learn more about how to get and stay motivated, and how this motivation can help you become a better business owner.
THE BUSINESS OF MOTIVATION Motivation is one of the most powerful driving forces in the workplace. It can mean the difference between tremendous success and failure.
Motivation stems from two sources. The first part of motivation is external or extrinsic (outside the person) sources. Other motivating factors come from internal forces, which are mainly your thoughts, patterns and collective experiences.
However, humans are unique, so what motivates Jack will not necessarily motivate Jill. You -- and only you -- will be able to determine what works.
Take the time to examine what internal and external factors are motivating you as a business owner. What can you do to enhance and refine your motivation to make yourself more productive and more fulfilled?
Here are seven keys to motivation that may prove helpful.
1. INSPIRATION Inspiration is critical to getting and staying motivated. If you are not interested in your business, your motivation level will never be high and you won’t be able to sustain interest for very long.
On the flip side, if you are energized and excited about the work you are doing, you will have more persistence, energy and intensity.
Take an honest look at your inspiration level. Are you excited about going to work or is it an obligation? You would be surprised at the number of people who choose a business that looks good on paper, but in reality does not interest them in the least. These individuals will grow weary and uninterested pretty quickly because they have no inspiration or passion to sustain them during the difficult times they will encounter as a small business owner.
If you don’t really enjoy your work, then think how you can re-focus your small business to better match your needs. Or consider making a change entirely. That’s pretty drastic advice, but inspiration is that important.
2. SETTING GOALS Short and long-term goal setting is vital for any business owner. If you didn’t set goals, you would be adrift with nothing to strive for and no charted course to follow.
How could you possibly be motivated if you were unsure about the direction of your company?
Take the time to put your goals in writing. A business plan may sound daunting, but it is really nothing more than goals, strategies, implementation and a budget. Write your own business plan and update it at least annually. Include “mini-goals” that can be accomplished in a matter of hours, days or weeks as well as the more ambitious “grand-goals” that may take years to complete. Refer to this plan throughout the year.
But can a business plan really help motivate you? Yes! Written goals will make you feel more professional and certainly more connected to your business. It will also free you from having to reinvent your business goals every single day.
3. NETWORKING Another key factor in getting and staying motivated is networking with other small business owners. One person can't move huge mountains. However, when a number of people begin working together the mountains are suddenly only small hills -- simply challenges waiting to be surmounted.
In fact, the isolation of working alone is of one the most difficult parts of being an entrepreneur. Mutual support is motivating. So, make it easier on yourself by connecting with others either in your community or online. Even when businesses are not related, you will often find common ground and ways to work together.
Many successful entrepreneurs report that finding the right networking group was a turning point in the growth of the business. Working together, a networking group can help its members generate more qualified sales leads and solve problems faster and more efficiently. Sharing ideas, expertise and experience is also an invaluable aspect of networking groups. And, don’t forget about sharing costs, possibly by buying in bulk or with joint marketing projects.
Your own personal team of business owners will help re-energize you when the burdens of running your own business seem too much. With your networking team to rely on, you can accomplish more in less time and probably have more fun in the process. Certainly, you will feel less alone.
4. REWARD YOURSELF Small business owners will always have to work hard, but all work and no play is a huge mistake. Your motivation will soon begin to fall if you never take any time away from the demands of running the business.
So, plan frequent rewards for yourself. No, it doesn’t need to be a trip to Hawaii (although this is a great idea). Your reward can be as simple as a lunch out with an old friend, a matinee with your significant other, an afternoon of shopping or a relaxing massage.
If your budget and time will allow, take a few days off for a short trip or simply schedule a vacation from work for a few days. Make it a real vacation -- even if you don’t leave town -- so no checking email, voice mail or the fax machine. You need to get away, unwind and renew yourself. This “down” time to regenerate will help improve your attitude and perspective. It sounds corny, but you will come back to your business with a new sense of motivation.
5. EXERCISE While it isn’t always immediately apparent, there is a powerful connection between the mind and the body. It is vital for every small business owner to take breaks and exercise -- everyday. If your body isn’t healthy, your motivation will certainly suffer.
These exercise breaks don’t have to be huge blocks of time, and you needn’t spend money joining a gym or hiring a personal trainer. Start by walking briskly for 30 minutes before, during or after work. After you have incorporated a walk each day, then try doubling the time or doing two walks each day.
Whatever works for you is best, but the important thing is to start. You will begin to feel better.
After the walking is part of your routine, add some basic light weights. Buy a tape or go online to find out how to properly use the weights so you won’t injure yourself.
You can keep the weights under your desk, and use them for just a few minutes at a time. Buy a timer the next time you are at the grocery store. Set the timer for for three minutes to start and then add a minute or two until you’re up to 10 or 15 minutes each day.
Some small business owners have a television at work and they schedule a CNN break along with their weights. This way, they are catching up with world and local news while simultaneously getting some moderate exercise.
8. ORGANIZE Organization is critical to motivation. How can you feel good about your work, when you can’t find important papers or you are constantly late returning messages? Your business will falter and your motivation will suffer.
Some people just can’t get organized. If you are one of them, then consider bringing in someone -- a business friend, family member or professional -- to help you get the clutter and mess cleaned up. You will be amazed at how this one important step will help you get back on the organizational track. Don’t stop there. Now really get organized by creating business systems that will help you streamline your operations.
The real challenge will be keeping yourself on track by maintaining these systems. For many, it is a daily challenge, but if you use your organizational systems you’ll be free to think about other important issues.
7. MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS AND AUTHORS As small business owners, it seems we are bombarded with motivational ideas and materials-- tapes, books, CD’s, seminars, workbooks, videos and more. Why are there so many different motivational products, authors and speakers? Because people are buying these materials. Used effectively, they are effective and therefore they sell!
However, there are so many different motivational gurus that it is often difficult to see through the clutter to find someone that makes sense for you -- someone who can get you “fired up” about working and improving your business.
Try talking to your mentor or networking group members to see who they might recommend. Start being aware of the motivational industry and how it might help you become more enthused and positive about your business. Do some light research of your own to find some authors and speakers that interest you.
Before you invest in motivational materials, you can probably find some inexpensive ways to obtain the materials. Check out your local library, tune into your local PBS station, buy materials with a networking friend, visit used bookstores or buy used materials online. Don’t make a huge investment, because you will probably want to sample many different viewpoints.
But do these materials really work? Yes, but only if you make the effort. Just like exercise, you have to work the muscles -- in this case your mind muscles.
It is up to you to take that information and apply it to your own life and business. Really use the motivational ideas over a period of time and you will begin to see results.
KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING Motivation is what moves us forward in our daily and business lives. Take the time to examine your motivating factors and use some of these keys to improve your focus and renew your enthusiasm. If you keep on track, the motivation momentum can’t help but carry you forward.
By Nancy Wurtzel
For instance, what to have for dinner may be motivated by a desire to lose or gain weight. Whether or not to attend a business seminar may be motivated by the speakers, location and cost. When and where to buy new clothing may be motivated by a long list of personal preferences as well as the changing seasons and weather conditions.
Even reading this article is a motivated behavior. Do you like the style of writing? Are you curious about the subject matter? Do you have a desire to learn new information? Do you have enough time to finish reading? If the answers are no, you probably won’t continue reading!
But since you have continued, you are obviously motivated. You want to learn more about how to get and stay motivated, and how this motivation can help you become a better business owner.
THE BUSINESS OF MOTIVATION Motivation is one of the most powerful driving forces in the workplace. It can mean the difference between tremendous success and failure.
Motivation stems from two sources. The first part of motivation is external or extrinsic (outside the person) sources. Other motivating factors come from internal forces, which are mainly your thoughts, patterns and collective experiences.
However, humans are unique, so what motivates Jack will not necessarily motivate Jill. You -- and only you -- will be able to determine what works.
Take the time to examine what internal and external factors are motivating you as a business owner. What can you do to enhance and refine your motivation to make yourself more productive and more fulfilled?
Here are seven keys to motivation that may prove helpful.
1. INSPIRATION Inspiration is critical to getting and staying motivated. If you are not interested in your business, your motivation level will never be high and you won’t be able to sustain interest for very long.
On the flip side, if you are energized and excited about the work you are doing, you will have more persistence, energy and intensity.
Take an honest look at your inspiration level. Are you excited about going to work or is it an obligation? You would be surprised at the number of people who choose a business that looks good on paper, but in reality does not interest them in the least. These individuals will grow weary and uninterested pretty quickly because they have no inspiration or passion to sustain them during the difficult times they will encounter as a small business owner.
If you don’t really enjoy your work, then think how you can re-focus your small business to better match your needs. Or consider making a change entirely. That’s pretty drastic advice, but inspiration is that important.
2. SETTING GOALS Short and long-term goal setting is vital for any business owner. If you didn’t set goals, you would be adrift with nothing to strive for and no charted course to follow.
How could you possibly be motivated if you were unsure about the direction of your company?
Take the time to put your goals in writing. A business plan may sound daunting, but it is really nothing more than goals, strategies, implementation and a budget. Write your own business plan and update it at least annually. Include “mini-goals” that can be accomplished in a matter of hours, days or weeks as well as the more ambitious “grand-goals” that may take years to complete. Refer to this plan throughout the year.
But can a business plan really help motivate you? Yes! Written goals will make you feel more professional and certainly more connected to your business. It will also free you from having to reinvent your business goals every single day.
3. NETWORKING Another key factor in getting and staying motivated is networking with other small business owners. One person can't move huge mountains. However, when a number of people begin working together the mountains are suddenly only small hills -- simply challenges waiting to be surmounted.
In fact, the isolation of working alone is of one the most difficult parts of being an entrepreneur. Mutual support is motivating. So, make it easier on yourself by connecting with others either in your community or online. Even when businesses are not related, you will often find common ground and ways to work together.
Many successful entrepreneurs report that finding the right networking group was a turning point in the growth of the business. Working together, a networking group can help its members generate more qualified sales leads and solve problems faster and more efficiently. Sharing ideas, expertise and experience is also an invaluable aspect of networking groups. And, don’t forget about sharing costs, possibly by buying in bulk or with joint marketing projects.
Your own personal team of business owners will help re-energize you when the burdens of running your own business seem too much. With your networking team to rely on, you can accomplish more in less time and probably have more fun in the process. Certainly, you will feel less alone.
4. REWARD YOURSELF Small business owners will always have to work hard, but all work and no play is a huge mistake. Your motivation will soon begin to fall if you never take any time away from the demands of running the business.
So, plan frequent rewards for yourself. No, it doesn’t need to be a trip to Hawaii (although this is a great idea). Your reward can be as simple as a lunch out with an old friend, a matinee with your significant other, an afternoon of shopping or a relaxing massage.
If your budget and time will allow, take a few days off for a short trip or simply schedule a vacation from work for a few days. Make it a real vacation -- even if you don’t leave town -- so no checking email, voice mail or the fax machine. You need to get away, unwind and renew yourself. This “down” time to regenerate will help improve your attitude and perspective. It sounds corny, but you will come back to your business with a new sense of motivation.
5. EXERCISE While it isn’t always immediately apparent, there is a powerful connection between the mind and the body. It is vital for every small business owner to take breaks and exercise -- everyday. If your body isn’t healthy, your motivation will certainly suffer.
These exercise breaks don’t have to be huge blocks of time, and you needn’t spend money joining a gym or hiring a personal trainer. Start by walking briskly for 30 minutes before, during or after work. After you have incorporated a walk each day, then try doubling the time or doing two walks each day.
Whatever works for you is best, but the important thing is to start. You will begin to feel better.
After the walking is part of your routine, add some basic light weights. Buy a tape or go online to find out how to properly use the weights so you won’t injure yourself.
You can keep the weights under your desk, and use them for just a few minutes at a time. Buy a timer the next time you are at the grocery store. Set the timer for for three minutes to start and then add a minute or two until you’re up to 10 or 15 minutes each day.
Some small business owners have a television at work and they schedule a CNN break along with their weights. This way, they are catching up with world and local news while simultaneously getting some moderate exercise.
8. ORGANIZE Organization is critical to motivation. How can you feel good about your work, when you can’t find important papers or you are constantly late returning messages? Your business will falter and your motivation will suffer.
Some people just can’t get organized. If you are one of them, then consider bringing in someone -- a business friend, family member or professional -- to help you get the clutter and mess cleaned up. You will be amazed at how this one important step will help you get back on the organizational track. Don’t stop there. Now really get organized by creating business systems that will help you streamline your operations.
The real challenge will be keeping yourself on track by maintaining these systems. For many, it is a daily challenge, but if you use your organizational systems you’ll be free to think about other important issues.
7. MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS AND AUTHORS As small business owners, it seems we are bombarded with motivational ideas and materials-- tapes, books, CD’s, seminars, workbooks, videos and more. Why are there so many different motivational products, authors and speakers? Because people are buying these materials. Used effectively, they are effective and therefore they sell!
However, there are so many different motivational gurus that it is often difficult to see through the clutter to find someone that makes sense for you -- someone who can get you “fired up” about working and improving your business.
Try talking to your mentor or networking group members to see who they might recommend. Start being aware of the motivational industry and how it might help you become more enthused and positive about your business. Do some light research of your own to find some authors and speakers that interest you.
Before you invest in motivational materials, you can probably find some inexpensive ways to obtain the materials. Check out your local library, tune into your local PBS station, buy materials with a networking friend, visit used bookstores or buy used materials online. Don’t make a huge investment, because you will probably want to sample many different viewpoints.
But do these materials really work? Yes, but only if you make the effort. Just like exercise, you have to work the muscles -- in this case your mind muscles.
It is up to you to take that information and apply it to your own life and business. Really use the motivational ideas over a period of time and you will begin to see results.
KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING Motivation is what moves us forward in our daily and business lives. Take the time to examine your motivating factors and use some of these keys to improve your focus and renew your enthusiasm. If you keep on track, the motivation momentum can’t help but carry you forward.
By Nancy Wurtzel
motivation : Daily Motivation
In successful people, motivation is the main driving force. Psychologists and neuro-specialists have different opinions based on their research findings. But all of them unanimously agree to the one generic definition of motivation, which is a mental state that stimulates the behavior and arouses goal-oriented desire in the human mind. Theories developed by psychoanalysts support the fact that the dose of daily motivation in an individual’s life is very necessary for him to excel in his profession and also maintain a good harmony with his surroundings.
The success stories of many millionaires, like advertising godfather David Ogilvy and the famous American industrialist Lee Iacocca is the witness to the fact that had they not got inspiration and motivation in their daily lives they would have not have ascended the stairs of success.
There are various sociobiological theories of motivation which say that humans have four basic needs. The first one is the ability to register the images of the objects and experiences, the second one is the strong bond of long-term relationships based on love, care and commitment, the third one involves a higher understanding to learn about the things happening around us, and the fourth one is the climax of highly evolved personalities who know when to defend themselves and their loved ones from any kind of mental or emotional harm. These theories strongly advocate that for continuous personality development, these basic needs have to be fulfilled.
The concept of emotional intelligence, popularized by the famous author Daniel Goleman, suggests that a person may be highly intelligent yet unmotivated to dedicate this intelligence to many tasks which he is doing.
Today in the United States of America, in the corporate sector, there is an increasing demand for motivational trainers and psychological counselors. Employees and employers need daily motivation to keep them going and help them increase the productivity and quality of their work.
By Richard Romando
The success stories of many millionaires, like advertising godfather David Ogilvy and the famous American industrialist Lee Iacocca is the witness to the fact that had they not got inspiration and motivation in their daily lives they would have not have ascended the stairs of success.
There are various sociobiological theories of motivation which say that humans have four basic needs. The first one is the ability to register the images of the objects and experiences, the second one is the strong bond of long-term relationships based on love, care and commitment, the third one involves a higher understanding to learn about the things happening around us, and the fourth one is the climax of highly evolved personalities who know when to defend themselves and their loved ones from any kind of mental or emotional harm. These theories strongly advocate that for continuous personality development, these basic needs have to be fulfilled.
The concept of emotional intelligence, popularized by the famous author Daniel Goleman, suggests that a person may be highly intelligent yet unmotivated to dedicate this intelligence to many tasks which he is doing.
Today in the United States of America, in the corporate sector, there is an increasing demand for motivational trainers and psychological counselors. Employees and employers need daily motivation to keep them going and help them increase the productivity and quality of their work.
By Richard Romando
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