Motivation looks differently on each person, and it changes based on circumstances and what stage of life we find ourselves in. We find the source of our motivation from external or internal sources. Both can co-exist and what is intrinsic to one person, can be extrinsic to another, or it can flip for someone given situations they find themselves in. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that when looking at your personal motivation, you don’t compare yourself to others. This is an exercise in reflection and of knowing who you are as a person. Motivation can both support your self care journey, and at the same time, by practicing self care, you will be more motivated to take on new goals and tasks in life.
Extrinsic & Intrinsic Motivation
Extrinsic motivation is rooted on external factors. Primarily, these manifest as either a reward of some kind, or in the avoidance of a negative outcome. Common rewards include money, power, prestige, or awards. Avoidance of a negative outcome can be to reduce punishment or not lose a privilege. To illustrate this concept, let’s look at children. Their extrinsic motivation is to be praised by their parents, get good grades that will also lead to recognition or awards, and avoid getting grounded or losing screen time. As we get older, we are often motivated by similar desires, the players may change, but ultimately, we want to be recognized for what we are good at, we want financial stability to indulge ourselves, and we don’t want to have anything taken from us.
Intrinsic motivation is the opposite, you do something for the mere fact that you enjoy doing it. The desire is from within. You do it regardless if you get recognized for it by someone else, and you feel good about doing it. It is also a way of pursuing interests and passions, as well as overcoming personal challenges. People who are intrinsically motivated also do things that have a greater impact beyond themselves. Volunteering is one such example. People do it because it makes them feel good, and in turn, someone in their community benefits from their actions.
Motivational Elements
Daniel Goleman, a renown psychologist, identified motivation as a core skillset of emotional intelligence. He further identified four elements that make up motivation. The first is the will to learn. Having a growth mindset makes a big difference, especially for intrinsic motivation. People with this drive will more likely achieve anything they set their mind to, and they are more capable of maneuvering unexpected challenges.
Secondly is the commitment to goals. Setting goals that are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely) are key to motivation. By having something to work towards, it gives you a sense of direction and by breaking them into bite-sized tasks, it gives you a plan on how to get there.
Next is having initiative. This means the ability to take action. Initiative is both the courage to explore the unknown, and to make a decision to take a risk. Is the level of risk acceptable for you to proceed?
And finally, optimism, the ability to keep thinking positively despite any obstacles encountered. It can also be seen as resilience, the ability to recover after a setback. We know setbacks can come. Being able to continue or deciding to take a break to review and reset is key. Sometimes all we need is to ask for help. If we don’t stop and realize where the gaps are, we might miss out on an opportunity.
Additional Tips to Get & Stay Motivated
Learn to learn
As mentioned previously, having a growth mindset is key to being motivated in life. If you struggle and tend to have more of a fixed mindset, you can build your motivational ability by learning to learn.
First, figure out the type of learner you are, how you best process new information. Dominant styles include:
- Visual – learn best by seeing things. Charts, pictures, and symbols help clarify information.
- Auditory – learn best through listening.
- Read/Write – learn from reading information, sometimes repeatedly, and writing down notes.
- Kinaesthetic – learn by doing. They also rely on all five senses for additional information.
Secondly, expose yourself to a routine where you dedicate time to learning new things. To start you can focus on learning through your dominant style, but add the others too. Over time, you build resilience and a habit of learning. The more you learn, the better you will become at it, and the easier it will be to solve problems. This feeds your motivation, and the cycle continues.
Figure out what inspires you
Intrinsic motivation is what drives passion projects and fills your soul with joy. And if you don’t know what inspires you in life, it will be hard to get motivated. The first step is to get to know yourself better. Is there anything from your current or past life that you really enjoyed? Are there certain activities or experiences that energize you? Do you know anyone that makes you want to be a better person? What do they do that appeals to you? Or is it a character trait that you’d like to develop? Ask friends and family what inspires them if you are stuck. You can also try a few things out until you find the right fit.
Build a network
Motivation is hard to sustain if you don’t have a support network to cheer you on from the sidelines. Many people get coaches or mentors to help them kickstart their journey and to be accountable to someone. By taking the time to build connections, you can reap the benefits of your efforts. Manage your goals with actionable steps and schedule a review regularly to make sure you are on track. By sharing your goals with your chosen network, you are more likely to succeed and stay motivated. And don’t forget to celebrate even the small wins with your network, this will boost your confidence and strengthen your motivation to continue on your path.
Finish what you start
This may sound obvious, but many people start goals or projects, and never finish them. Sometimes this is because we overthink things and become paralyzed by the unknowns. By pushing yourself to cross the finish line, you are most likely also pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. Getting to the end can be hard, but growth only comes when we don’t let obstacles prevent us from continuing. If you find your persistence dwindling, revisit your original motivation for why you got started.
Now if completing your original goal is going to bring you harm, please don’t force it. But I encourage yourself to test how far you can go. Sometimes we are not aware of how strong we are. It is also okay to revise our goals, and/or adjust our timelines. Furthermore, if you are prone to making excuses for why you didn’t accomplish something, it’s time to stop. Evaluate why you are doing this behaviour and take a hard look at what will inspire you to live a better life.
What motivates you?
Motivation drives us to do great things. Intrinsic motivation is more likely than extrinsic motivation to last longer and will excite you more. It does not rely on others to build your confidence and self-esteem. A growth mindset will be key to staying positive in the face of challenges and setbacks. Let your passion steer you to conquer big dreams, and let your motivation be a source of positive impact for those in your life.
IMAGE CREDIT: Unsplash | Cristofer Maximilian.