Motivation is the little fire that starts the flame that drives us to pursue goals, surmount barriers, and take action in both private and professional life; be it early wakes ups to workouts, building a career, or making long-term lifestyle changes, motivation became the fire to take decisions and make our actions a reality. But what does motivation really mean, and what are the main driving forces behind it?
What is Motivation?
Motivation essentially is the internal processes that initiate, guide, and maintain goal-directed behaviors. It is what prompts us to begin our work and moves us through hardship. This can come from something inside of oneself (intrinsic factors) or outside of one’s being (extrinsic factors) such as rewards, recognition, or fear of loss/danger.
Types of Motivation
1. Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic motivation describes forces that are internally based: when we are intrinsically motivated, we do things because it is enjoyable, fulfilling, or meaningful. For instance, someone who plays the piano because he loves music is there because he has intrinsic motives. It often appears that intrinsic motivation lasts longer because it’s driven by personal satisfaction rather than rewards from the outside.
2. Extrinsic Motivation
Extrinsic motivation is motivated by rewards from something else, including avoidance of negative results: take, for example, working hard at one’s job in order to secure a promotion, studying to pass an exam, or exercising to lose weight. While extrinsic motivation is sometimes very active in the short term, it tends to be less successful in the long run when the external rewards are not available or diminished.
Theories of Motivation
There are various psychological theories that seek to capture the nature and parameters of motivation. These theories provide insights into our driving forces and ways to maximize levels of motivation.
1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Abraham Maslow’s theory of motivation revolves around a hierarchy of needs where everyone is motivated to satisfy lower-level needs before higher-level needs. Starting with physiologic needs-clothing, food, water, shelter, et cetera, this builds into safety, social attachment, esteem, and self-actualization. Even if one is intuitive and can synthesize some material, Maslow outlines that one can only begin to fulfill higher-level goals and personal development after the lower-level needs are fulfilled.
2. Self-Determination Theory (SDT)
The self-determination theory hypothesized by Deci and Ryan holds that when people feel competent, they are autonomous, and they have firm ties with others. By upholding intrinsic motivation, when humans perceive certain activities are self-determined, or closely linked with their values, they’re more likely to become increasingly engaged and more satisfied about such things.
3. Goal-Setting Theory
Goal-Setting, a theory by Edwin Locke, postulates that specific and challenging goals with appropriate feedback lead to higher performance levels. It shows that motivation is heightened when clear goals are set and feedback is received. Ideas of clear goals give focus and motivation, while challenge keeps people focused and committed to achieving that goal.
Factors Determining Motivation
Motivation is a very dynamic multidimensional force which is affected by numerous internal and external factors that include:
1. Personality
The personality traits of an individual affect motivation to a large extent. For example, an individual who scores high on personality traits like conscientiousness would tend to be more goal-oriented and persistent, while those who score high on openness may be motivated by creative or intellectual challenges.
2. Social and Environmental Influences
The social environment, including family, friends, colleagues, and mentors, plays a huge role in motivation. Social support, which can be positive or negative, can encourage or lower motivation respectively. Also, environmental factors like the availability of resources and opportunities for growth influence motivation.
3. Emotional Factors
Emotions act as strong motivating forces. Positive emotions such as excitement or pride may drive an individual to act, while fear or frustration could motivate them to pursue actions to avoid a negative outcome or become de-motivated. Understanding the emotional undergirdings of motivation can enable people to utilize their emotions to achieve greater productivity.
4. Cognitive Factors
Our beliefs, attitudes, and own self-views will influence our motivation. People having a growth mindset-meaning that they believe that their abilities and intelligence can be developed-well tend to be much more geared up for challenge-taking. On the other hand, people who have a more closed-off mindset may not take on challenges because of their beliefs in limited abilities. Self-efficacy, or the belief regarding one’s own abilities to accomplish tasks, is a significant cognitive factor influencing motivation.
How to Increase Motivation
While motivation is a natural human sort of drive, it is subjected to different varies for some reasons. However, there are ways to boost the level of motivation and keep it high:
- Set Clear and Achievable Goals: By being specific, measurable, and, most of all, realistic, the accomplishable goals provide motivation and a sense of direction. Breaking down your larger goals into smaller and more manageable steps will make these larger goals easier to attain.
- Find Your Why: Knowing the solid reason for which a goal is meant earns the laid-down goals a purpose. It could be health improvement, assistance to other people, or personal growth. The understanding that the goal one is pursuing has a meaningful and underlying reason is a good source of motivation, especially during difficult times.
- Create Positive Habits: Motivation will surely diminish if not fed with some degree of consistency. Regularly establishing routines or developing good, healthy habits allows you to stay on track without having to rely on motivation every time you perform some action.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Recognizing that you are finally making some progress will help keep your motivational momentum up. Rewards can reinforce that you’re making great progress.
- Have a Support System: Family, friends, a circle of like-minded individuals-someone to lean on when motivation wanes-greatly enhances motivation. Informing your loved ones of your goals and achievements gives you a sense of accountability and encouragement.
Conclusion
Motivation is a dynamic, multi-faceted force that acts to realize goals to influence choices and actions. Learning about the various types of motivation, the theories explaining it, and its influencing factors empowers us to leverage our internal motivation to combat the tough road before us. Whether intrinsic or extrinsic, motivation is one of the critical facets of the human experience that helps us grow, achieve, and become fulfilled in life.
