3.4: How to Raise Your Value and Expectation
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If you are struggling to find value in a particular task or goal try the following strategies:
Develop your “why:”
Think about why you are attempting this task. How does the task tie into your larger goals? How will this task prepare you for your future? If you are struggling to find value in a course you are taking, you might consider how this course could prepare you for other courses you will be taking. How might the skills and knowledge you learn prepare you for life after you graduate?
Tie into personal interests:
How can you make this task interesting and engaging? How might you bring in your personal interests? Let’s say you are writing a paper in a class. Think about ways you could research a topic in which you are personally interested or tie the research into something that might be relevant to your career.
Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation:
What is the intrinsic value of this task? Remember when a task has intrinsic value, the task has personal value or value unto itself. The learning or knowledge you gain from a task would be an intrinsic value. What is the extrinsic value of the task? A task has extrinsic value when you are doing the task for a reward or to avoid a punishment. Completing an assignment on time management has the intrinsic value of developing positive practices in time management that are essential for almost any career. The extrinsic value of completing the assignment would be getting a good grade.
Positive value vs failure avoidant:
Focus on the positive value of the task rather than a negative consequence. For example, “I am studying for this test because the material will benefit me in my future” vs “I am studying because if I don't, I am going to fail.”
Separating your own value from that of your peers:
How is this task personally relevant and important to you ? Make sure you are doing the task for your own reasons, not for someone else. Are you surrounding yourself with positive and supportive influences? If you have friends who are not supportive of you being in college, you might begin to doubt the value too. Reflect and reassert the importance and relevance to you.
If you are struggling to raise your expectation in a particular task or goal try the following strategies:
Grow your mindset:
Remember what we learned in the Personal Responsibility chapter about “growth mindset” and thinking like a “Creator.” Combat critical self-talk such as “I don't belong here” or “I am not good at this.” Envision a positive outcome and make positive statements about yourself. Imagine you were talking to a friend who was facing this struggle - how would you encourage your friend? Now turn that same encouragement and reassurement towards yourself.
Celebrate your successes:
Often large goals can be intimidating. Focus on small “wins” to build up your self- efficacy. When you show yourself you are making progress, you are less likely to get discouraged and adopt an “all or nothing” attitude. For example, if you wanted to lose weight to feel healthier, you might start with exercising ten to fifteen minutes a day. By the end of the week, celebrate that you have created the healthy habit of exercising every day. Once you are confident in committing to fifteen minutes a day, building up to thirty minutes and eventually to more intense workouts will be easier.
Learn from failure:
Failed attempts are part of the process and can become a teaching tool. When something doesn't work out as expected, step back and examine the situation. What could you have done differently? What changes can you make? If you receive a poor grade on a test, consider your study habits. Is there a different way you can prepare for the next test?
Get connected:
Ask for help! You may have heard the popular phrase “the only dumb questions are the ones not asked.” Chances are if you are asking the question, someone else in the class has a similar question too. If you are unable to ask questions during class, your instructor’s email, phone number, and office hours all are listed in the course syllabus. Office hours are times during the week that your instructor has set aside specifically to help students. Another place you can ask for help is the HACC Learning Commons where you can get help from the library, tutoring, and technology support. Begin utilizing these resources at the beginning of the semester to develop good study and work habits.