-The first time I did not make the shot into the garbage can. The second time I took the shot I however did. What happened here was since I didn't make it the first time I was more intrinsically motiavted to make it a second time. I needed to know that I could make at least one of the two shots, especially since I missed the first one. After I made the second one I felt that since I motivated myself I did better than I would have if I had made the first one as well.
-I thought my goal was pretty reasonable, but I did not make the first shot. Therefore, my intrinsic moviation decreased, but at the same time it made me more determined to make the second one.
-From the second shot my confidence went down. I thought that since I couldn't make it from a closer distance I would have a harder time making it from a farther distance.
-When I asked myself why I didn't make it the first time I blamed it on factors from my doing. I just carelessly tossed the paper into the trash can because i was so certain that I would have made it. This could have been changed by me concentrating more on my shot and being less careless. Then I probably would have been able ot make it if I was more focused and determined like I was the second time around. This is what I did for the second shot, I focused more had better aim and succesfully made it. Then my confidence went back up and my intrinsic motivation increased.
The overall message you should take from this is that 1. When you attribute to factors 'of your doing' or things you can control, that is MORE intrinsically motivating because you can change those factors--you are empowered. Also, 2. By making small reasonable goals, your motivation will typically increase each time you succeed in those goals. So, by seeing yourself succeed in small steps you will be more likely to continue.
ReplyDeleteIn one part, you were more motivated after you failed.... I imagine that's because your initial confidence was so high that you wanted to prove you could do it....