MOTIVATION: WHAT STIMULATES AND DRIVES US TO SUCCEED
Motivation is our enthusiasm and need or reason for doing something.
Why do we
enjoy doing something rather than something else? What are the reasons for
this? What drives us to do certain things for our internal satisfaction, while
other things are done without internal desire? What makes us act
and follow through?
These are
questions that motivation can explain by further considering Extrinsic or
Intrinsic factors. Learning, autonomy,
belonging, purpose, social contact and love are examples of intrinsic
motivation which is defined as “performing
an action or behavior because you enjoy the action itself”.1
The motivational stimuli are coming from within us.
The motivational stimuli are coming from within us.
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do”
Steve Jobs
Examples of extrinsic factors are external rewards such as: money, celebrity, grades, praise
or fear of punishment. Extrinsic motivation is defined as “doing something for external rewards or to avoid
negative consequences”. 2
The stimuli are coming from outside us and with the incentive or promise of a reward or to avoid a punishment.
The stimuli are coming from outside us and with the incentive or promise of a reward or to avoid a punishment.
Homer Rice
As individuals,
we are all different; with different motivational needs and reasons. Some people respond better to intrinsic motivation, whereas for others, it is the opposite. Depending on the situation, such as a group project, it may be
necessary to adopt a more extrinsic attitude working towards a group goal or reward.
It is often
said that intrinsic motivations are more effective than extrinsic, or at least there
should be a balance between them both. The example of successful serial
entrepreneurs is often cited in the case of intrinsic motivation, as their
success is often based on factors such as doing what they really like,
challenges and creativity. Off course, the extrinsic factor of “money” is also
a driving force in some cases.
In the prior article the
reader questioned and found her motivation. She then followed through with
concrete action. Her experience is a good example of how motivation and in this
case, intrinsic motivation, can lead to satisfaction and success.
After taking
the time to reflect on her situation and being honest with herself, she realized that
she enjoyed learning. Once the decision was
made to spend her days on the intrinsic factor of learning, she stopped asking
the question “what next” and regained her confidence and self-esteem.
The intrinsic
need and enjoyment of learning, fulfilled also an extrinsic factor, that of getting
a new job. Although it is not mentioned in the article, her career may have
been one of her long-term aspirations.
It takes determination
to study from a home environment. It entails self-discipline and self-motivation.
The article doesn’t mention any obstacles she may have encountered while
pursuing the online education. She appeared to do it with
enjoyment. This is an important factor for success: finding what motivates you,
putting it into action and seeing it through. The most difficult stage in
motivation is putting intentions into action.
“If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint”, then by all
means paint and that voice will be silenced” .
Vincent Van
Gogh
A substantial
amount of literature and advice, as well as conflicting opinions, have been
written on motivation. A first individual step to understanding self-motivation,
is to be honest with oneself. By being honest with oneself, we begin to better
understand what stimulates us, what we really want to do and what gives us enjoyment
and satisfaction. Some of the factors that we enjoy may require determination
and passion to see them through.
Understanding
our motivation will also help in choosing the right career path. During interviews,
the question “what motivates you” is often asked. It appears to be a
straightforward question, but it can tell a lot about your personality and
ambitions: are you motivated by money, by progression, by self-esteem, by love
of the job, by helping others…
If
you take the time in advance to think about “what motivates me”, you will be better
prepared to answer this question and to make the right decisions.
By
knowing what motivates you, it may avoid taking a job that does not interest or fit your long-term aspirations. You may possess the expertise for the
position, but if the motivation or the love of the job are absent, you will not
be internally satisfied.
If
you have the choice (because sometimes we do not have the choice!), try to pursue
a role or a project that inspires and which you really enjoy. Over the long-term, you will remain more motivated.
“If you don’t build your own dreams someone will hire you to help build
theirs”. Tony A Gaskins Jr
ARTICLE AUTHOR: Brid Doherty-Appriou
http://study.com/academy/lesson/intrinsic-motivation-in-psychology-definition-examples-factors.html
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