BY AMY ACCHIONE MYERS
Editor’s note: At MeaningSphere, we believe that meaning at work matters and that it’s deeply personal. This series highlights diverse perspectives across the 10 core fulfillment areas from our Worklife Fulfillment Indicator. Each piece reflects the author’s own experience, with the goal of sparking reflection and dialogue.
As a teacher, most people assume that my job is full of inspiration. They are correct. Getting to see an impact on young people in real time is more than just a perk of my job; it is a reason to get out of bed each morning.
However, just like any job, there are moments that challenge me. In these moments, it’s important that I find the motivation to keep moving. In this piece, I’ll share what works for me.
Locating the sources of inspiration
First, let me define what I mean by inspiration. This word is often used to describe the sudden, unpredictable spark of an idea (as in, “when inspiration strikes”); or to describe the positive influence of someone else (“you’re my inspiration!). But I’m going to use it here the way MeaningSphere sees it: as an internal motivator; a north star, if you will.
In a study published in Behavioral Sciences, “Work Motivation: The Roles of Individual Needs and Social Conditions,” scientists analyzed data from over 32,000 workers in multiple countries to find the source of inspiration in worklife. The conclusions of the study note that “the satisfaction of psychological needs promotes self-motivation, which creates positive outcomes.” But what are those psychological needs? According to the study, the two most important are autonomy and social relatedness. Let’s unpack these basic needs—and see how they play out in real life.
1. Autonomy: It’s easy to see how having autonomy at work can spur motivation. When we have control over our workday and decision-making, we have greater control over our worklives. I see this in my classroom. I have autonomy over what I teach because I wrote the curriculum for my district. Therefore, I believe that what I am teaching is important and necessary. If I were using another teacher’s curriculum, especially if I questioned its relevance, I may be less motivated to teach it.
Conversely, the parts of my day where I do not have control zap my inspiration.For example, when the bell is about to ring, and I know I need 10 minutes to help the students capture the concept, but I am not going to get it. Or when I have students who have needs outside of the classroom and I have exhausted my available ways to help them. These areas outside of my control cause frustration. These feelings oppose inspiration.
2. Social relatedness: Social relatedness is defined as a feeling of connection and belonging with others. We find inspiration in our worklives where we feel we belong, and when we work alongside people we enjoy. While professionals will always find ways to collaborate with difficult coworkers, it can diminish their inspiration at work.
I find that social relatedness is just as important in the classroom as any other workplace. Teaching can be a lonely profession; usually it’s just you and children for most of the day. Your rapport with students usually determines the trajectory of your day and your year. Similarly, students do not want to learn from teachers they dislike or in classrooms where they feel they do not belong. Therefore, teachers must make strong connections with students to ensure they have inspiration in their worklife as well.
How to stay inspired
Can you find ways to bring more autonomy and social relatedness to your worklife to build motivation and inspiration? For example, if you’re craving more autonomy, you might start with your schedule: by moving your hardest tasks to the time you work best or by blocking out focus time. If connection and belonging are what’s missing, you might consider embarking on a collaborative project at work or make it your goal to get to know colleagues you don’t normally socialize with.
Social relatedness is where I find the largest source of my worklife inspiration in education. Students may be able to learn on their own, but I am honored to get to coax and witness the more difficult concepts taking root. This brings me to a key aspect of workplace motivation: that my day-to-day work supports something I truly believe in. I feel a sense of purpose and value to see the metaphorical light bulb go on over my students’ heads, to see their eyes awaken with understanding, and to feel my smile widen as we look at each other with a mutual excitement that only learning can bring.
Amy Acchione Myers is an educator with over 20 years of experience in the classroom. When she has the chance, she also performs as an actor and singer.
