Mind::Week 2 (Summer11)

Yay, you’re back. If you’re just joining, don’t forget to check out Mind:Week 1.

This week we really dive into Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink. I read this book in a day on a flight back east. We’re going to be going through it gradually over the next few weeks. If you spend 10-15 minutes on it a day, you’ll more than complete the two assignments for it this week.

Assignment #1

Read Part One in Drive.

Chapter 1. The Rise and Fall of Motivation 2.0
Chapter 2. Seven Reasons Carrots and Sticks (Often) Don’t Work
Chapter 2A. …and the Special Circumstances When They Do
Chapter 3. Type I and Type X

I know it seems like a lot of reading. It is to a degree–just shy of 70 pages in the hardcover edition of the book.

But think about that. 70 pages in 7 days. That’s only 10 pages a day. Not too bad.

This section is REALLY important. Daniel Pink really points out how a lot of our current methods of motivation aren’t working. You’ll get a bunch of the history and even some insights. Next week, we’ll explore the methods that ARE effective. Spending some time with this section is paramount to understanding the NEED to change our current habits.

Assignment #2

Take Notes.

I know. I said this wasn’t going to be super school-like.

I just don’t want you to lose some of the ideas as you read.

What surprises you?
What do you disagree with?
What might you already change in your own world?
What would you want to share with your organization?

Again, you have four chapters over seven days. I think you’ll really like the way that Daniel Pink organizes his thoughts. Jot down some ideas as you go. Better yet, utilize what you learned during Week 1 of Technology and see how a camera phone and Evernote can really help you out here.

We’ll spend Week 5 really discussing the book, so don’t worry about going to a facebook discussion page yet. Your notes will help out down the road.

Thank you for participating in Summer School 2011!