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You’ll spend time in this module processing your thoughts…please print out the self test journal before you begin this module. The “RA Knight” awaits…. Finding your Motivator . The Challenge and Rewards of the R.A. Knight.
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You’ll spend time in this module processing your thoughts…please print out the self test journal before you begin this module.The “RA Knight” awaits…
Finding your Motivator The Challenge and Rewards of the R.A. Knight By Deb Coffin, Interim Director of Housing, University of Colorado-BoulderDeveloped for the Lovin the Learnin Series on www.reslife.net
Introduction The work you do is so important and valuable to our students. All of us that work with you as RA/CAs know that you are instrumental in making a huge difference in students’ lives and the success of a Housing team.
Sometimes though, being in the trenches can be hard, and as time passes, the demands of the work you love, begin to feel overwhelming and draining.
This story and the related activities, will hopefully assist you in reclaiming the energy and motivation that brought you to this job. There’s no magic formula…the critical ingredient is your desire. Find your ‘force’…and the year will end incredibly.
Getting Set • What you need for this experience: • Journal (located in the self test area) • Writing utensil - one you really like • Some quiet time…shut your door, make yourself unavailable • A spirit willing to be truthful and renewed • Relax, sit back, enjoy!
The Story of the R.A. Knight Not so long ago, on a campus far, far away, there lived an RA Knight committed to creating community, helping students adjust to campus life and doing the best possible job for the kingdom on the floor. At the beginning the Knight’s commitment was strong, the energy was constantly flowing, and the motivation was high! The journey was fun!!!! Making new friends and supporting the students led to great happiness and satisfaction.
Journal Time: Take a minute to relax. Close your eyes and reflect back to when you first decided to become an R.A. Knight. Why did you apply to be an R.A.? What did you think it would be like? Write those memories down.
Now, take a minute to reflect on the gifts you believe you bring and brought to the job. What were the things you thought you could do to make a positive difference? Write down at least two positive things you have done for your floor, the hall and/or the staff team you work with.
….But time passed… Work, academic and personal challenges mounted. Energy was harder to come by….and the Knight became tired. The knight continued to give energy and support, be available for students, staff and friends, while keeping up with the challenges of learning and academics. Although there were many moments of fun and laughter…
…deep inside the knight was feeling worn down. Questions mounted within the knight, and self confidence was lacking...was the knight really cut out for this job? Did anyone realize how exhausted the knight was? Did anyone really care?
Journal Time: Take a minute to relax. Close your eyes and reflect on how you are feeling. • A thought: how you are feeling is valid. Tuning into those feelings is the first step in moving to a better, healthier place. Take the time and risk to be honest, even with yourself as you write.
What is your energy like right now…this moment? High, low, and more importantly why? Write in your journal.
How is your self-confidence? Do you still feel you are making a difference? Write down some examples of events that have been challenging and maybe even draining. How did those events impact you? Did you have time to reflect and recover after they occurred?
The Knight continued to have problems….It became more difficult to be energized and enthusiastic and committed to the work the knight had once dreamed about doing.
The knight continued the work, spent time with students, connected with staff friends, attended meetings and responded to issues. But the motivation was less. The energy harder to come by. The knight needed a break, and thankfully the winter break came.
The knight spent time playing, laughing, sleeping and working. At the end of the break the knightwas ready again for training and ready to begin a new semester.
The knight vowed not to let the schedule get out of control, and made a commitment to take time for self and friends, as well as school.
….Once again, the motivation was high. The commitment was strong.
Journal Time: Take a minute to relax. Close your eyes and reflect on the winter break. A thought: “The art of life lies in our constant readjustment to our surroundings.” Okakura Kakuzo, Japanese art critic
What did you do to reenergize yourself over the break? Did you make any commitments to handling this semester and your schedule better? Write in your journal.
What things did you commit to doing that help you keep energized (time for music, quiet talks with friends, working out, playing video games). Make a list of at least 10 quick things you do to ‘feel motivated’.
School started, and challenges began to mount….school, work, lack of time, friends in need, unanticipated crisis on the floor and in the hall. The knight consistently did the things they committed to do…read, relax, music, time with friends, time to hike, ski, play….but the pressures mounted and the energy began to wan.
The knight found a teacher….someone who could listen and understand. The teacher realized the knight had a bad motivator and helped the knight find the ‘force’ to replenish the motivation.
It took work and dedication, the force was not something anyone gave the knight, it was inside the knight, and the knight simply had to find it and embrace it.
Journal Time: Take a minute to relax. Close your eyes and reflect on the past few weeks. Has your motivator failed? If not, great…what are you doing that keeps your motivation high? If your motivator failed, what caused it to fail? What got in the way?
Did you keep your commitment to do the things that help you stay energized? If yes, CELEBRATE AND KEEP IT UP! If no, what are you letting continue to distract you from taking care of yourself. Write in your journal.
The knight realized that waiting for things to change would not make the knight happier, stronger, healthier or motivated. The knight had to take action to change what the knight had control over... making sure to stay committed to the knights health and well-being!
There were times when the knight still felt that motivation was low. The knight soon realized it was part of the journey to continuously work on motivation.
The key to the knights success was recognizing that the force was within the knight…not something magical that someone else could give to the knight. The knight recognized that only the Knight could take the steps to adjust and readjust to the challenges of reality.
Journal Time: Finding your force. Reflect and write. What makes up the force inside you? Can you tap into it easily? What do you do to remember the force that you have?
Create a symbol or word that represents the force within you. Draw it, sign it, write it! Put it on a piece of paper and place on your wall somewhere, in your book bag, in a pocket. Make lot’s of them and put them in all kinds of places.When you get to feeling like your motivator has gone bad….find the symbol, look at it and remember what it stands for…then go after it. Take the time….to take care of you….to keep your motivator healthy.
The knight became stronger. The force was with the knight. There were times when the knights motivation was low, the heart was discouraged and the knight would struggle.
During these times the knight would not always know what to do. But the knight found the teacher who would help the knight remember to ‘use the force’. The force would not leave the knight, the knight would simply forget to find it and the teacher was there as a reminder and friend.
The knight’s motivation was high again and soon the knight needed the teacher less and found the teacher within the knight.
The knight enjoyed the rest of the year, including the challenges and distractions. The knight learned that serving others provided energy and motivation.
The knight embraced the experiences and rose to meet the challenges and rewards of each day.
Soon the knight was teaching other knights and showing the way to the force within each of them. The knight was strong because the force was strong within the knight. The knight was energized and the year ended strongly.
Journal Time: The value of service in gaining momentum and motivation. Many times when we feel we have lost our motivation, it is helpful to focus on serving others.
Do you have any activity or service opportunity that you find energizing and rewarding? Write down on a piece paper to call and arrange some service time somewhere…better yet, get a group from your floor to do a simple service project with you. Through this service you will find your force and it will stay strong with you.
Not Journal Time… Action Time: You found your force…now go celebrate it. No writing this time…it’s time to get up and do!
Go back to the list of simple things you can do to relax, recharge and get motivated. Pick one right now and do it, not later, now, for 15 minutes. How do you feel? Motivated? Energized? Less stressed?
Who is your teacher? If you don’t have one, can you find one? There are lots of people interested in being mentors and resources to help with your success. Who’s around that you admire? Ask if they would serve as a mentor/teacher to you? You’d be surprised how honored they would feel.
More Action Time: Who is your teacher??? OK, sorry, you do have to write one more time…find a piece of paper and make a list of people who you might want to ask to be your teacher, mentor, resource. After a few hours or days. Look at it again. Is there someone you are really more interested in than others? Jot down a time to call them or visit and talk to them about being a mentor for you.
You found the force… it’s within you.
