The Magic Question
Question: Often the question about kids and motivation is straightforward:
how do I get my child to (fill in the blank).
Answer What's in it for me? If you want to understand motivation, never
forget those words. They reveal a truth about human nature that has been coursing
through our veins for thousands of years. And now that you know it, use it. When
you want your kids to do something, anything, ask yourself: What's in it for them?
Why would your kids want to study for the test? Why would they want to eat all their
breakfast? Why would they want to stop wetting the bed?
I don't mention the last question because it's a common theme for motivation but
because of an old story that demonstrates the point perfectly. A little boy continued
to wet the bed no matter how often he was told it was wrong or that he should be
embarrassed.
Then his dad took a new approach. He asked himself, what's in it for my son? A new bed
and big-boy pajamas. Until he stopped having accidents, it didn't make sense for him to
sleep in a large bed with sheets and blankets that would have to be washed every
night, nor did it make sense to put him in clothes that would soak through. But if the
accidents stopped, that could all change in the little boy's favor.
Days later, after telling his son what would happen if he didn't have an accident, the
accidents stopped.
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