π² Guess My Motive
Can you guess if someone's motivated by a goal, a fear, an expectation to live up to, an expectation to set, or a value? Players secretly write down ways they act in each category. Then, they share how they act, but not the motivation. Can the other players guess their motive correctly?
Players take turns announcing one of the words they plugged into the sentences beneath, without saying which sentences they were completing. The others try to guess β is the person motivated by goals/fears, meeting expectations, setting expectations, or inspiration?
Complete at least one of these sentences. (non-value: π Goals & Fears)
It pays off if people think of me as _______ (so that I reach my goal / avoid my fear). I push myself to be _______ (so that I reach my goal / avoid my fear).
Complete at least one of these sentences. (non-value: π Meeting Expectations)
I want to be a good _______ (social role), so I have to be _______. People are used to me being _______, and I don't want to disappoint them. People will dislike or reject me unless I seem to be _______. In order to be a good person, I have to be _______.
Complete at least one of these sentences. (non-value: π Setting Expectations)
You specifically (or everyone) should be more _______, just like I am. All right-thinking people know they ought to be _______. As a _______ (social role), I need to show people how to be _______. The world would be a better place if only everyone were more (of a) _______.
Complete at least one of these sentences. (a value: π³ Inspiration)
Reflecting on my experience has taught me that a good life unfolds when I choose to be _______. My friend/mentor approaches things with _______, and inspires me to be that way, too. I deeply admire _______ (someone I know) because s/he is _______.
Each of the four grey boxes points to a way that a concept could be guiding a person's choices. Many words could fit into any of the four boxes. The difference lies in how you are motivated.
Commonly Used Words
Adventurous / Capable / Clever / Creative / Deep / Dependable / Disciplined / Excited / Friendly / Generous / Genuine / Humorous / Happy / Inclusive / Kind / Knowledgable / Moderate / Modest / Patient / Professional / Punctual / Resourceful / Spiritual / Trustworthy /
Non-Value: π Goals / Fears
Non-Value: π Meeting Expectations
Some expectations appear necessary for being accepted or continuing to operate within a social space. We often meet expectations in order to maintain group acceptance or avoid rejection.
Non-Value: π Setting Expectations
Sometimes we work to impose our expectations on other people. On a personal and group level, we try to set expectations by βmodelingβ behaviors we would like to see in others. On a larger scale, this social pressure takes the form of ideologies (e.g., Veganism, Conservatism, Polyamory).
A Value: π³ Inspiration
Personal Values are intuitions or ideas about which way of approaching things will guide our lives and choices well. We can feel good about being guided by our personal values even if they do not result in the outcomes we expect, even if people donβt like us for being that way, even if no one else changes their behavior.