Motivation Series, Part 1: To Thine Own Self Be Determined

<p><strong>MOTIVATION PART 1</strong></p><p><strong>The Self-determination Theory </strong></p><p> </p><p>For my first episode on this series I thought I’d start with the theory which, I can say I have had deep experience with for better or worse. It is the self-determination theory. </p><p><br> 28th US President Woodrow Wilson said 'Self determination' is not a mere phrase; it is an imperative principle of action."<br> <br> The self-determination theory says that humans feel motivated to change and progress when 3 innate needs are being met. Those needs are:</p><p><strong>Competence</strong></p><p>Connection (You’ll sometimes hear relatedness)<br><br></p><p><strong>and Autonomy.</strong><br> <br>Starting with<strong> Competence<br></strong><br></p><p>I’ll assume that if you are listening to this, you likely have a drivers licence and feel confident driving. </p><p>Think back to when you first got behind a wheel to learn.</p><p>Unless you were some freak Schumaker-esque prodigy you likely felt unsure of yourself. Perhaps a bit frightened. I remember my first drive. I ran into a ditch! </p><p>I learned in a manual and remember clearly the “bunny hopping” the stalling, the gear grinding, the over-revving, the under-revving, the 10 moves it took to do a 3 point turn, the thousand moves it took to do a parallel park and still end up with a tire on the curb, indicating 20 minutes before the turn…</p><p>Little by little I became more competent and with that competence growth came confidence growth.</p><p>I’ve been watching Season 4 of Cobra Kai. I’m loving this show on Netflix. I remember my Granddad taking me on an outing to see Karate Kid when we were living in the US in a place called Logan, Utah. 35 years later and Daniel LeRusso is about to start training his own son in the art of Miyagi-do Karate. Before he begins the physical labour he imparts these words of wisdom to his kid, who is a bit of a gamer. </p><p> “Learning karate isn’t easy. It takes a lot of work. But listen, think of it like a video game.