Through extensive research in the domains of psychology, education, neuroscience, business and athletics, UCF College of Education and Human Performance\u2019s Associate Professor of Educational Psychology, Bobby Hoffman, has determined which motivational elements affect learning and performance.<\/p>\n
In his book Hoffman uses the engaging technique of describing the triumphs and setbacks of several well-known personalities he interviewed to serve as examples of motivated behavior.<\/p>\n
He set out on a quest after his students in the Applied Learning & Instruction program at UCF complained about being required to read journal articles that were difficult to understand and didn\u2019t have much applied use or value. They desired a textbook for their Motivation class, a book that didn\u2019t really exist.<\/p>\n
Based upon student encouragement, Hoffman decided to write the 426-page book \u201cMotivation for Learning and Performance,\u201d which discusses the 50 key motivation principles for learning and performance designed with two primary goals in mind; promoting self-awareness of one\u2019s motives and outlining strategies to mediate motivational challenges.<\/p>\n
Hoffman wanted to find a way to engage readers as a means to simplify the understanding of motivational science, but he also sought to make the book different and more interesting than a typical textbook. Instead of creating fictional case studies, he identified real-life personalities from sports, business, entertainment, music, and politics to serve as examples of motivated behavior. The book features his interviews with former investment adviser and criminally-convicted financier Bernie Madoff, Emmy-nominated \u201cCurb Your Enthusiasm\u201d actress Cheryl Hines, former NFL superstar Nick Lowery, professional poker expert Alec Torelli, and former Olympic athlete Amanda Boxtel, who lost her mobility during a skiing accident and as a result became the world\u2019s first recipient of a robotic system that allows disabled people to walk unassisted.<\/p>\n
While writing the book he found three factors that distinguished motivated behavior in his notable subjects from those less motivated: accountability, control and the expectation that life is full of obstacles.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe individuals I interviewed took complete responsibility of their lives,\u201d Hoffman explained. \u201cWhen you have an internal locus of control, meaning you believe you are accountable for orchestrating your life, then you feel that you can control your destiny. When you make a mistake, you must give yourself the opportunity to improve, and learn from that mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also found through his research that having a bad day wasn\u2019t part of each successful person\u2019s M.O., as universally the motivational leaders in the book expected to and did fail at one point or another. Plus, they all strived to excel and achieve personal and professional growth, while indicating spirituality, even though it wasn\u2019t always directly expressed.<\/p>\n