"Extrinsic Motivation vs. Intrinsic Motivation"

Motivation is the fuel in your car to keep your engine running so that you can travel to your destination, essentially your goal. Just like gasoline and diesel are two different types of fuel, there are two types of motivation: intrinsic & extrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation is the desire to attain tangible rewards for your performance. It could be as small as a gift card and as big as a hike in salary. On the other hand, intrinsic motivation is the desire to engage in an activity because it is inherently exciting and leads to positive feelings. Intrinsic motivation does not require any external reward or the need for a favorable outcome to keep going. Instead, the reward is the internal joy and satisfaction one receives while achieving the goal. It can be as small as organizing your space because you function well in a clean space and as big as volunteering to host a fundraiser event because you enjoy public speaking. Studies and research have shown that intrinsic motivation lasts longer and is more impactful than extrinsic motivation. For example, intrinsically motivated people learn more effectively because instead of focusing on the result, like being interested in the grade they get, they are thoroughly immersed in learning. Intrinsically motivated individuals are also more persistent because their drive is their psychological well-being. And inherently motivated employees are likelier to stay with an organization because they are less likely to experience burnout. People often say motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing; that’s why it’s recommended daily. Motivation directs behavior. So it’s only viable to find ways to enhance our intrinsic motivation. Here are two approaches you can use to do exactly that:

Observe yourself and try to have more honest conversations about what interests you and what doesn’t. Follow which activities bring you the most joy throughout the week and how to make those activities a more significant part of your life.

Once you’ve realized what intrinsically drives you, it would help if you built an environment that promotes the three factors of self-determination theory:

Competence: you can set goals to become more experienced in a particular area instead of setting only result-oriented goals. The better you get at something, the more you want to do it. Make learning your priority.

Autonomy: you will thrive in an environment with freedom of choice and behavior. Choose what you want from doing an activity rather than competing for the pressure of getting the job done.

Relatedness: socialize with like-minded individuals, and connect to others to achieve a sense of belongingness. Also, make sure that the task relates to your values somehow.

Self-determination theory has proven to be one of the most renowned theories of motivation. It suggests that activity is most likely engaging when an individual feels intrinsically motivated, has a sense of volition over their behavior, and the action feels inherently exciting and appealing. We influence our motivation; try some of these ideas to increase yours today.

Sources:

Jeremy. (2021, February 13). How to Increase Intrinsic Motivation (According to Science). Motivations & Goals. https://positivepsychology.com/increase-intrinsic-motivation/#foster

Jeremy. (2021, March 31). What Is Sports Psychology? 9 Scientific Theories & Examples. Theory & Books. https://positivepsychology.com/sports-psychology/

TEDx Talks. (2018, December 19). Intrinsic Motivation: Revolutionize Education, Work and Life | Behrouz Moemeni | TEDxWLUBrantford [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjC7cM8a5zU

Marcin, A. (n.d.). Understanding Negative Reinforcement. Mental Well-Being. https://www.healthline.com/health/negative-reinforcement