Leadership Blog #9

I really enjoyed being able to reflect upon motivation and how I motivate myself, why I do, and also how I motivate others. It is so interesting and something that was definitely needed and appreciated in my life right now.

1. I believe that I have somewhat similar but different motivations in the different aspects of my life. I think that with school, I am more motivated now that I am finally at BYU because I know the expenses that it took to get here, and so I think that that is motivation for me because I actually chose to be here to further my education. I think being able to picture myself doing what I love in the future helps too. As far as personal goals, I feel as though I am the most motivated. I love writing goals down, making "bucket lists" and spiritual and temporal goals. I also often picture myself in the future or like at my funeral (morbid, I know) and try and see what my life would look like looking back on it, and that helps me to keep going. As far as social life, I feel as though that is probably the easiest to be the most motivated in, yet sometimes the hardest. For me, I absolutely LOVE being social and meeting and talking to new people. However, I go through times where I just feel like I can not be social and sometimes I just have to force myself to go out and be social. It helps when I have things planned out ahead of time and scheduled time to talk with friends. With family-- I love my family!--- sometimes, it can be tricky to stay motivated to keep in contact with them when life get's so busy. But as with friends, I think what helps me is setting apart time at least once a week to Skype or talk on the phone with them. Also, throughout the week I try to keep them in my prayers to know specifically if there is anyone that I need to reach out to.

2. Motivating others can sometimes be really tricky. I have learned this through my experience in Student Council, and in church callings. Sometimes being the leader and trying to get others excited about what you're doing is hard!

However, for me, even though I am absolutely not a master at this, there are a few things that work!
Overall, I think encouraging others and supporting and loving them is crucial. No one wants to feel like they are being forced, or threatened into doing anything! Also, I think when we as leaders are excited and passionate about a cause, that can convey to others and help them be better involved.

In school, I believe showing others the importance of it and letting them know that we all make mistakes, and that there is always help for them to improve helps a ton. As far as work, showing up with just a smile on your face can help others feel better about what you're doing. With family, I believe that being a good example and showing your siblings love and obeying your parents can help motivate and strengthen your family overall to do and be better. And lastly with social, I have always believed that to have good friends you first need to be a good friend. I have learned through experience of having some awesome friends in my life, that I then want to be a better person just through their love and help to me. I think motivating others socially all starts just by being a good friend to others.

3. I am so happy that I was given the leadership role of Esther for our labs! It has been so interesting learning about her and seeing how truly great of a leader and woman she was. I think Esther's motivation style was definitely being passionate about her people and the cause that she was fighting for. She also was a prime example of just being Christ-like, showing love, and having faith. She definitely motivated the King by showing Him her love and service to Him, and so then in the end He was willing to listen and do what she asked.