The Motivating Power of Visions

A vision is a positive image of your future. Perhaps your vision is of a lab manager in a white coat conducting an experiment, a management consultant in flannel giving a presentation, or an athlete in a jersey competing in a heated competition. Having your own vision helps you to focus your motivational forces and give them direction. This seminar is designed to help participating master's students find their own vision and prepare themselves as best as possible to realize it. Topics covered include: What significance do images and symbols have in my life? What makes a good vision? How does a vision differ from a goal? How can I find a personal, authentic vision? How do I plan to implement my vision? What concrete steps will I take? This vision seminar, with its varied practical exercises, case studies, and role-plays, is based on our many years of research on the subject of visions.

After completing the seminar, students will know the difference between a vision and a goal and understand the importance of inner images for their motivation. They will develop their own personal, authentic vision of the future and learn how to use it as a source of strength. They will also draw up a concrete plan with initial steps for action to put their vision directly into practice.

Students submit a 12-15 pages long report in which they answer questions about their visions. The students will write this report individually on their own pace and submit it at the end of the seminar. The final grade is based on the five-minutes-presentation that students give during class and on the points they earn with this report. Presentation will weigh 30% and the report will weigh 70% of the final grade. As part of the module, a mid-term assignment can be completed in the form of participation in two psychological studies/experiments lasting 60-120 minutes.t Participation is voluntary and is intended to illustrate part of the course content. It serves as practical experience in scientific psychology/education and can be used to slightly improve the grade of your module exam. More information is available at http://motivatum.wi.tum.de.

Prior knowledge/experience in psychology (or similar) is advantageous but not essential.

The module consists of a lecture in which the topics mentioned are presented and discussed in a plenary session. The content of the lecture is conveyed in a presentation accompanied by slides. Students prepare and deliver a five-minutes-long oral presentation on their visions in an interactive manner.