Motivation is a tripedal and evolutive phenomenon behind human behavior. It is also affected by emotions, personal values, social factors and even biological needs. By recognizing these types of motivation, people can leverage their drive for their personal and professional endeavors.
Types of Motivation
- Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic motivation comes from within and is fueled by internal rewards like personal satisfaction, curiosity, or learning for the joy of learning. Intrinsic motivation refers to individuals that engage in activities because they are gratifying to them, rather than to earn a reward. Intrinsic motivation refers to doing an activity for its inherent satisfaction; an artist painting for the sake of self-expression or a scientist doing research out of curiosity are examples of this type of motivation. - Extrinsic Motivation
On the other hand, extrinsic motivation is driven by external incentives like money, recognition, or social acceptance. Examples: Employees working toward a promotion, students studying for grades (extrinsic are external factors). This is a form of motivation that can work, but is not always sustainable or satisfying in the long run. - Emotional Motivation
Emotions are a significant driving force in motivation. Actions can be propelled by fear, happiness, love, or even by anxiety. For example, a person may be driven to work harder by fear of failure, or love and support for their family may motivate them to succeed. - Value-Based Motivation
Our motivations are highly affected by personal values. For example, individuals who hold powerful pro-environment beliefs may be excited to engage in green activities. On a more personal level, people who regard social justice highly may choose a career path that does activism or charity work. - Social Motivation
We are social creatures, and much of our motivation is derived from the social setting around us. Approval from peers, encouragement from mentors and the competitive nature of colleagues can all be motivational forces. Social motivation is powerful when you factor in team dynamics, such as the desire to pull your weight or belong. - Biological Motivation
Some motivations can be traced to biology. Dish and thirst and needing to rest are the basic drives for survival. Likewise, both the imperative for safety and the drive to reproduce shape many people’s behaviors. For instance, athletes may have a biological drive to train, in order to keep their bodies healthy.
What Type of Motivation Excites You?
Motivational factors have different effects on individuals. Some are intrinsically driven, motivated by passions of their own choosing, while others — and this is me — are motivated by praise or social pressure. If you know what drives you, you can design your goals and stay disciplined towards achieving them with a long term focus.
From transforming your career and cultivating healthy habits to achieving personal satisfaction — identifying the kind of motivation that resonates with you is the first step in the right direction. But what kind of motivation inspires you?
