Motivation Hockenbury and Hockenbury

Hockenbury and Hockenbury defined motivation as the forces that act on or within an organism to initiate and direct behavior. (p. 318). Motivation to me is simply the defining reason of our behaviors. It explains how and why we do things. It is closely link with our emotions - we are motivated to achieve certain emotions and emotions may motivate us to take action.

How important is motivation to our daily lives and success? Most motivational theorist assumed that motivation is involved in the performance of all learned behaviors that is a learned behavior will not occur unless it is energized. (Educational Psychology Interactive). We can be motivated by our past experiences and behaviors – just like operant conditioning we tend to not repeat behaviors that have undesirable responses thus creating a source of motivation. I believe motivation can either be beneficial or a hindrance to someone life goals. It is dependent on the source of motivation and on the person’s attitude, persistence and adversity.

I was two months shy of turning twenty years old when I had my son. It was both the most memorable and challenging time of my life. Having my son is the best blessing I received and have. He have made me stronger individual to overcome adversities, gave me the courage to face my fears and to do things I thought I couldn’t imagine doing before. My early pregnancy affected my family’s close knit relationship especially with my mom of whom I was so close before. My siblings and I were well made aware of our parents expectations growing up. My mom was not happy for obvious reasons – she wanted so much more for me, not in physical or material sense but with life in general. She had high hopes and expectation of me. I did not only see her doubt, disappointment and anger but having to feel them was the worst and painful part. The feeling of hurt and sense of negativity that surrounded my early pregnancy became the fuel of my motivation. I was motivated to prove everyone wrong especially my family that despite this life changing experience or mistake as they refer it, I will be able to turn it around and provide a comfortable life for my family especially to my son.

My own family and its success became my everyday focus that I had forgotten about myself. As I was close to fulfilling this goal I slowly realized that I lost myself in the process. I felt like I didn’t know exactly who I am – without an identity. I struggled with this realization for a long time because it felt so wrong and selfish - my life goals were always tied to the life goals of my own family that it felt wrong to have one just for myself. I wasn’t sure of who I was anymore. I sacrificed everything that I had wanted for myself in the past - my education, hobbies, and friends that it left a hollow feeling inside of me. Our family looked so groomed on the outside and yet I still feel empty.