Why US Marines Are Being Encouraged to Disobey | Charles Duhigg | Big Think

TL;DR

The Marine Corps revamped basic training to teach self-motivation through an internal locus of control, leading to success.

Transcript

One of the things we know about motivation is that we’re able to trigger those parts of our neurology that are related to motivating us when we feel in control. And very frequently this comes from making a choice. Something that allows us to assert ourselves into a situation. One of the most fascinating examples of this is how the Marine Corps reva... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤳 Self-motivation can be triggered by feeling in control and making choices.
• 🤳 Marines need real self-starters with an internal locus of control for success.
• 🤳 Teaching individuals to embrace a bias towards action can enhance self-motivation.
• 🥺 Encouraging the subversive instinct can lead to learning how to generate self-motivation.
• ✊ The power of self-motivation extends to various life stages, including nursing home residents.
• 👋 Following orders is not always the best approach to fostering self-motivation.
• 🥺 The ability to assert oneself and take control leads to motivation and success.
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Questions & Answers

Q: How did the Marine Corps revamp basic training to address the lack of self-motivation in recruits?

The Marine Corps redesigned boot camp to focus on decision-making and self-assertion rather than discipline and following orders. Recruits were trained to have an internal locus of control, fostering a bias towards action.

Q: What is the significance of the crucible in the Marine Corps basic training?

The crucible is a 56-hour obstacle course where recruits must make decisions and sometimes disobey orders to complete tasks, showcasing the importance of taking control and self-organizing in challenging situations.

Q: How do nursing home residents demonstrate the power of self-motivation?

Successful nursing home residents are those who break the rules and assert control over their decisions, such as trading meal trays to make their own meals. This behavior reflects a need to be in control and motivates them to stay active and engaged.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Marine Corps revamped basic training to teach recruits self-motivation and decision-making skills.

• The focus shifted from discipline and following orders to making decisions and asserting oneself.

• Encouraging a bias towards action and the subversive instinct helps individuals learn how to self-motivate effectively.