WIIFM stands for What’s In It For Me? If I get something out of a course, a meeting or an experience, I’m much more likely to put in the effort. Good instructors, volunteer coordinators, sales people will tell you the WIIFM that really resonate for you. Finding the ITs yourself takes practice.

Boost Your Concentration: Load Up on WIIFMs

… It’s the motivating force behind nearly everything we do. Teens and adults alike can accomplish almost anything when their WIIFMs are strong enough. The most powerful WIIFMs are immediate - pleasure we’ll gain right away, rather than at some undetermined future time. They’re also positive. We’re more likely to motivate ourselves to gain pleasure than we are to avoid pain.

WIIFM is different for each of the four basic personailty types. Although they are talk about products and services, it works for education and training too.
from WIIFM: are you listening?

• Driver wants Accomplishment - These individuals have a deep appreciation for challenges. They enjoy being in control, are goal oriented and are looking for methods for completing tasks. They are usually quick to reach a decision. They want to know what your product or service can do for them to solve their problem.
• Amiable wants Acceptance - These individuals appreciate the personal touch. They like things that are non-threatening and friendly. They hate dealing with impersonal details and cold hard facts. They are usually quick to reach a decision. They want to know why your product or service is best to solve their problem.
• Expressive wants Applause - These individuals are very creative and entertaining. They enjoy helping others and are particularly fond of socializing. They are usually slow to reach a decision. They want to know who has used your product or service to solve problems.
• Analytical wants Accuracy - These individuals appreciate facts and information presented in a logical manner as documentation of truth. They enjoy organization and completion of detailed tasks. They do not appreciate the “personal touch” or disorganization. They want to know how your product or service can solve the problem.