Life Skills and Leadership Manual - Peace Corps

Life Skills & Leadership: Unit 3, Session 4: Setting Priorities, Managing Time | Page 58 of 68

B. Summary
Conclude the exercise by saying:

“Each of us only has one cup to fill each day and we don’t have much choice about some of the

activities we have to do. But for the activities we can decide about, we can use our best decision-

making skills to be sure we have a good balance of ‘Rocks,’ ‘Sand,’ and ‘Water’ in our cup.”

IV. Application ( 30 minutes)
Materials:
Trainer Material 1: Motivation Theory
Handout 2: A Full Cup for Tomorrow

A. If I Asked You ...
Participants make the distinction between their internal and their external motivations for what they do.

1. Gather everyone to sit in a circle. Explain that there is a reason for everything we do. Say:

“We just talked about all the things we do and the reasons we do them. Sometimes the reason is for

ourselves, like what we ‘Need to’ do and what we ‘Want to’ do. Other times the reason is because of

what someone else wants or because it’s good for our health or safety – what we ‘Have to’ do.

“I’d like us to become clearer about whether our reason for doing an activity is because of someone or

something outside of us or whether it’s because of something personal inside of us. When we can tell

the difference, we can better use our Head, Heart, Hands, and Hopes to make choices and keep our cup

filled with the right combination of ingredients.

“It’s not always easy to tell whether what we are doing is for inside or outside reasons. So let’s practice

with a few examples. I will read several statements. If I say something you would do, please stand.

Otherwise, please stay seated.”

2. Read the situations and questions below. Pause between each to allow participants to stand if they choose.
   Also ask a few volunteer participants each time to tell the reason they would do what you asked.

Note: Typically we talk about motivation in terms of rewards and punishments, which are referred to here as reasons

“outside” of a person. Another type of motivation is internal, or referred to here as “personal.” We don’t always realize it,

but our personal/internal motivations have a great deal of influence over our behavior. This type of motivation comes into

play in several types of situations:

a.) Relationships – We are more likely to do something to be part of a group (e.g., peer pressure)

b.) Meaning – We are more likely to do something if it has meaning for us or is connected to a sense of purpose (e.g.,

achieving a goal)

c.) Choices – We are more likely to do something when it is our own choice to do it (e.g., working on a hobby)

d.) Ability – We are more likely to do something if we have the skill and confidence to do it (e.g., writing, solving math

problems, playing a musical instrument)

The situations that follow are meant to illustrate the differences between outside motivations and these various

personal/inside motivations. Participants do not need to know this much detail about motivation theory. The ability to

recognize outside as opposed to personal influences upon the reasons for their choices is enough.

Note: Refer to Trainer Material 1: Motivation Theory for more information.