When It’s Not Just a "Phase"
Most persons have periods when they are slow to respond, avoid responsibilities, and generally show some signs of low motivation. Periods like this are normal and can be attributed to a variety of stresses, personal and business commitments, changing interests, and just plain overwork. However, with motivated individuals, these lapses are brief; the individual feels the need to get on and tasks, pleasant and not, are completed. The individual with a true motivation problem, however, shows a variety of symptoms, over time, that distinguish the problem from "just going through a phase." The following are some indications that a student is having long-term motivational difficulties.
Student Symptoms
Detachment and withdrawal from responsibilities - both physical and emotional (detachment slowly moves even into things the student "likes").
Feigned indifference to many aspects of life ("I don’t care").
Emerging anger, sullenness, and agitation.
Exaggerated sense of being correct. Seldom accepts responsibility for own outcomes. Tends to blame other people or circumstances.
Diminishing sense of urgency to complete tasks and plan for the future. Misses deadlines.
Diminishing sense of inquiry. Does not initiate new projects; pulls back from challenges and new ideas.
Seems disorganized, especially about schoolwork. "Forgets" to bring home work or turn in assignments.
Can do well but is erratic. Needs excessive supervision. Is not a self-starter. Appears easily distracted when needing to do work.
May start projects with some enthusiasm, but does not follow through. When confronted may admit problem "this time" but promises to "do better next time."
Cannot enjoy own successes. Seems sad.
Parents and educators who are concerned about an unmotivated student also show symptoms: Their symptoms include:
Feeling ineffective with this particular student.
Experiencing pervasive worry about student’s actions and future.
Feeling frustrated that nothing seems to work to motivate this student.
Experiencing increasing concern over time.
Away from school the family situation is deteriorating. The symptoms include:
Tension over academic responsibilities, chores and performance.
Tension over "wasting" time that should be used for studying or other productive endeavors.
Absence of discussions about planning for the future.
Decreasing communication in general.
Conflict over imposed limits, rule, and regulation.
When these symptoms are present an active effort towards resolution of the difficulties is recommended. Professional intervention may be warranted to rule out other possibilities for the behavior or to assess the impact of a variety of interfering problems (such as level of intelligence, learning disabilities, neurological difficulties, or substance abuse). Some unmotivated students, even after years of problems, will get themselves back on track - but even those will have lost opportunities and will have "catching up" to do. While not every approach will be effective with each individual, parents and concerned others need to begin the process of finding the root causes and the correct remediation. Ignoring the problem usually will not make it go away.
© Center for Applied Motivation, Inc.