Chapter 13. Motivation
Motivation Introduction
Jessica Motherwell McFarlane
Approximate reading time: 5 minutes
Let’s begin this chapter in a creative way. Imagine we have been asked review a script for a new animated feature designed to teach students about motivation. The script is titled, “The Procrastinaut’s Journey to Success: Part 1.” In it, we are introduced to Angel, a student battling the all-too-familiar challenge of procrastination. This story isn’t just about delaying work, however. It’s a template for understanding the deeper concepts of motivation that this chapter explores. Angel’s journey from procrastination to action (or inaction) perfectly illustrates the crucial link between our needs and how they drive us to do things — or put them off. As we follow Angel’s story, we begin to see why understanding our needs is the first step. It’s the key to unlocking our motivation, which in turn, dictates whether we take action or stall. This opening scene from our story sets the stage for a more complete consideration of the psychology of motivation. It shows us why it’s essential to grasp how our needs can lead us to achieve our goals or hinder our progress.
The Procrastinaut’s Journey: Script for an animated feature – Part 1
Procrastinaut (Richardson, 2023): a hero who resembles an astronaut in the sense that they spend considerable time and space navigating the realm of procrastination.
Scene 1: Monday – Term paper deadline, five days remaining
The scene opens in a cosy, cluttered dorm room. A calendar on the wall has a big red circle around a term paper deadline — five days away.
Narrator (Voice Over, V.O.): “Meet Angel, a bright student who often waits until the last minute, now facing a big challenge. They need to write a 30-page term paper on a topic they like. They’ve waited too long to start and now they just want to finish it and pass the course.
Angel, wanting to do well, sits at their desk on a Monday evening. They open their laptop, ready to begin. But first, they decide to eat a big meal to get ready for a night of writing…
Scene 2: Monday – Later that Night (still five days remaining)
Angel is found sleeping at their desk, surrounded by empty plates.
Narrator (V.O.): “A big meal meant to help them think turned into a nap. One day gone, and the essay is still not started.”
Scene 3: Tuesday – Four Days Remaining
The scene shifts to Angel’s room. The calendar shows four days left until the term paper is due. Angel is at their desk again, ready to work. But then, a notification appears: “Cute Cat Compilation #37.”
Angel (whispering to self): “I’ll watch five minutes of cat videos for a break.”
Hours later, Angel is still watching videos.
Narrator (V.O.): “Instead of reading articles for their paper, Angel watched cat videos, which led to watching other videos. Their attempt to get started has failed.”
Scene 4: Wednesday – Three Days Remaining
Angel is ready to work again. As they open their textbook, a message from friends invites them to play an online game.
Angel (excitedly): “I know I’ll work faster after playing some games!”
The scene shows Angel playing and laughing. Time passes quickly. After losing in the game, the term paper is forgotten for today.
Narrator (V.O.): “Playing games with friends took over their plan to work. Angel’s chance to finish their paper is getting slim.”
The camera focuses on a clock as tense music plays.
Narrator (V.O.): “Time is running out on Wednesday night. Angel, caught up in games and fun, doesn’t notice how much time they’re losing. Their school project, once exciting, is adding pressure to their life. Will Angel find a way to focus and start working? Can they turn the pressure of the deadline into a push to get things done? Angel’s success is uncertain as we wait to see if they can overcome these distractions.”
The scene fades to black, leaving the outcome unknown.
You will be able to read the exciting conclusion to our Procrastinaut’s adventure at the end of this chapter. Angel’s story is a good example of what this chapter is all about. We all have times when we avoid doing what we need to do. This chapter looks into why that happens and what we can do about it. It talks about the science behind our basic physiological, emotional, social, and community-based needs and motivations. For now, we will press pause on Angel’s story, so we can learn about the science behind our needs, instincts, motivations, drives. We will take a close look at hunger and eating as one example of a foundational human drive. And we will study the science of procrastination and the strategies for overcoming it.
To calculate this time, we used a reading speed of 150 words per minute and then added extra time to account for images and videos. This is just to give you a rough idea of the length of the chapter section. How long it will take you to engage with this chapter will vary greatly depending on all sorts of things (the complexity of the content, your ability to focus, etc).
