Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation

Successful people are often driven by intrinsic motivation, which refers to the desire to engage in an activity for its own sake, rather than for any external rewards or incentives.

This type of motivation comes from within, and is driven by a person’s internal interests, desires, and needs. Successful people are often motivated by their passion and enthusiasm for their work, and by the enjoyment and satisfaction they get from pursuing their goals and dreams.

They are also often motivated by the challenge and excitement of achieving their goals, and by the sense of accomplishment and pride they feel when they succeed.

Overall, intrinsic motivation is an important factor in the success of many successful people, as it drives them to pursue their goals with passion, dedication, and determination.

Below are some steps we can take to balance out intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.

Set specific, challenging goals that are personally meaningful to you.

To increase your intrinsic motivation, start by setting goals that are specific, challenging, and personally meaningful to you. This means identifying what you want to achieve, why it is important to you, and what steps you need to take to reach your goals.

For example, if your goal is to become a better writer, you might set a specific goal to write a certain number of words per day, or to submit a certain number of writing samples to a publication. Whatever your goals are, make sure they are challenging but achievable, and that they align with your interests, passions, and values.

Focus on the process of achieving your goals rather than just the end result.

To increase your intrinsic motivation, focus on the steps you need to take to achieve your goals, rather than just the end result. This means breaking down a daunting task into smaller, manageable pieces, and focusing on the enjoyment and satisfaction of working towards your goals.

For example, if your goal is to become a better writer, you might focus on the process of writing, such as finding interesting topics to write about, experimenting with different styles and formats, and revising and editing your work. By focusing on the process, you can enjoy the journey of achieving your goals, and find ongoing motivation and inspiration along the way.

Take on tasks that are interesting and engaging to you.

To increase your intrinsic motivation, try to find tasks and projects that are interesting and engaging to you. This means aligning your work with your interests, passions, and values, and finding ways to make your work meaningful, rewarding, and fulfilling.

For example, if you are interested in writing, you might take on writing tasks that align with your interests, such as writing articles, stories, or poems. By taking on tasks that are interesting and engaging to you, you can increase your enjoyment and interest in your work, and find ongoing motivation and inspiration.

Find ways to increase your sense of control and autonomy over your work.

To increase your intrinsic motivation, try to find ways to increase your sense of control and autonomy over your work. This means setting your own goals, making your own decisions, and finding your own methods and strategies for achieving your goals.

For example, if you are a writer, you might set your own schedule and deadlines, choose your own writing topics and formats, and experiment with different styles and approaches. By increasing your sense of control and autonomy, you can increase your engagement and motivation, and find greater satisfaction and fulfillment in your work.

Take time to reflect on your progress and accomplishments, and celebrate your successes.

To increase your intrinsic motivation, take time to reflect on your progress and accomplishments, and celebrate your successes. This means regularly reviewing your progress, identifying what you have achieved, and learning from your mistakes and challenges.

For example, if you are a writer, you might keep a journal or log of your writing activities, and regularly review and reflect on what you have written, what you have learned, and what you can improve. By taking time to reflect on your progress and accomplishments, you can gain a greater sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, and find ongoing motivation and inspiration.

Additionally, by celebrating your successes and acknowledging your hard work and effort, you can reinforce your belief in yourself and your abilities, and further increase your motivation.

Why extrinsic motivation can lead to less motivation.

While extrinsic motivation (often call wrong motivation) can be effective in some situations, it can also have negative effects on motivation and performance. This is because extrinsic motivation is often based on external rewards and incentives, such as money, grades, or praise, which can be short-lived and unpredictable.

When people are motivated by extrinsic rewards, they may focus on the rewards themselves, rather than on the activity or the process of achieving their goals. This can lead to a lack of interest, engagement, and enjoyment in the activity, and can decrease motivation and performance over time.

Additionally, extrinsic motivation can create a dependence on external rewards, which can make it difficult for people to find intrinsic motivation and enjoyment in their work. Therefore, it is important to balance extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, and to find ways to increase intrinsic motivation in order to achieve sustainable, long-term success.

Have the best day,
Mark