I just read an entry on Olav Lundanes' blog and it got me thinking about motivation (Click the title to read it in Norwegian. Actually, click it anyway and check out the cool training exercise and nice map). He talks about how the prize for "winning" the training session in his club is a Coke. He even goes on to talk about how he doesn't even like Coke. But "winning" the Coke was a big deal for him-- at least enough of a big deal for him to do an entry about it on his blog. I have witnessed a similar phenomenon in my classroom and heard of other teachers doing something similar with much success. One teacher I know gave out jelly beans as prizes... well...actually she gave out A jelly bean. That is right. Kids were super motivated over one singular jelly bean! I think I have heard of a hockey team that has a hard hat that goes to the hardest worker in a game. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

I think I will try this with my group. If nothing else it will add a fun element and some bragging rights to the training sessions much like the good-natured trash talking that is part of GHO workouts.

It kind of makes you think about the idea of prize money, too. I mean if people are motivated over jelly beans and Cokes then perhaps we could offer a small amount of prize money at races with similar effect. My impression is that we think that prize money has to be some huge number but maybe a small amount along with some bragging rights and the gesture might go a long way.
# - BL - 11/7/08; 5:42:36 PM -