第九次课——classification作业

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Three Types of Motivational Friends

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The benefits of friendship are multifaceted. Some friends accompany us in our academic or professional pursuits, while others share leisure activities that help us relax and unwind. Some praise our achievements, while others point out our shortcomings. Although most friends involve multiple roles, from the perspective of how they primarily motivate us, they can be grouped into three types: role models, encouragers, and challengers.

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Role models are friends who motivate us mainly by setting examples. They excel in most of the key aspects among peers. My brother and several of my ex-classmates belong to this group. They are often economical in conversation, yet their behaviours and achievements have a strong impact on me. I would admire them, compare my performance with theirs, and try to copy their behaviours. By observing them and learning from their examples, my goals are naturally elevated, and hence I make progress by striving to catch up with them.

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Encouragers motivate us essentially by emotional and psychological support, often in forms of conversation. My mother is definitely such a friend of mine. She always gives me positive comments, especially when I face failure and doubt. Her warm yet firm acknowledgements always fill me with spiritual strength to regain confidence and refresh my goals. Her consistent encouragement and unwavering belief in my abilities remind me, repeatedly, that I can succeed in my own way.

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Challengers motivate us through honest criticism and high expectations. They are always ready to question us and point out our weaknesses. I immediately think of several of my school teachers and former bosses. Compared with encouragers in my life, they seem more interested in digging out my deficiencies, especially after I have completed a task fairly well. Their comments are seldom pleasing to hear, but they refuse to lower their standards, which forces me to keep moving forward.

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All three types of friends discussed above -- role models, encouragers, and challengers -- play different motivating roles in our lives, whether through words or behaviours, encouragement or criticism. Each of them helps sharpen our direction and strengthen our ambition, and therefore deserves to be called a true friend.