When you want to reach a goal, motivation is like a spark that lights the way. There are times when we all need a little push to get going, right? Now, the drive is what makes us take the first step and keep going, even when things get hard. But did you know that there are different ways to get motivated? Yes, knowing about them can really change how you work toward your goals. Now, let's talk about the four types of inspiration and use some real-life cases to help you understand.
Discussion Topics
- Motivation from within
- Motivation from outside sources
- Motivation comes from within
- Figuring out what drives you
- How do these kinds of drives work together?
- Why it's Important to Know What Drives People
- Applications in Real Life
- The Right Amount of Drive
- How to Get More Motivated
1. Motivation from within
When you do something you enjoy or find interesting without expecting a prize, that's called intrinsic drive. You know how that feels when you're really into a hobby and don't want to think about anything else? You love what you're doing, so you're in the zone.
Let's say you really enjoy art. If no one sees your art or pays you for it, that's fine with you. Painting is the only thing that makes you happy. That is the best kind of personal drive! Your desire drives you, not other people or things.
2. Motivation from outside sources
On the other hand, extrinsic inspiration comes from somewhere else. It's when you do something to get something good or stay away from something bad. This kind of drive is all about the result, not the way it gets there.
As an example, remember how hard you worked in school to get good grades. You may not have been interested in the subject, but you knew that getting good grades would help you get into a good college or make your parents happy. This kind of drive comes from outside of yourself; you're working toward something.
3. Motivation comes from within
Motives that come from within are a little harder to grasp. You are driven not by true desire or benefits from the outside world, but by internal forces like guilt or duty. You may believe in something that makes you feel like you "have to" do something, even if you don't want to.
For example, let's say you help out at a charity event because you feel bad if you don't. You're not doing it because you care about the cause or because you want something in return. You're doing it because you don't want to feel bad about yourself. This kind of drive can work, but it doesn't always lead to the best results.
4. Figuring out what drives you
You do something because you know it's important to you, even if you don't enjoy the job itself. This is called recognized motivation. It means realizing that a certain action fits with your values and goals.
For example, let's say you want to become a doctor. To reach your goal, you know that you have to study every day, even if you don't enjoy it. You know that working hard at school is important, even if it's not always fun because it helps you reach your final goal.
How do these kinds of drives work together?
Now that we've talked about the four types of inspiration, you may be interested in how they fit together. In reality, these different types of drives often mix together in our daily lives. For instance, you might start working out because you want to lose weight (extrinsic motivation). But as time goes on, you may enjoy it and feel good about yourself (intrinsic motivation). For example, you might feel forced to help a friend move (introduced motivation), but you also know that being there for them makes your friendship stronger (discovered motivation).
Why it's Important to Know What Drives People
It's important to understand the different types of inspiration because it helps you figure out what moves you. You can find the right kind of energy to keep going when you know what drives you. As an example, if you know that innate motivation is what drives you, you might focus on doing things that you enjoy. Setting up prizes for yourself could help you stay on track if you are more motivated by things outside of yourself.
Applications in Real Life
Now let's talk about how you can use what you've learned. If you're having trouble staying inspired at work, look for things you enjoy about it (intrinsic motivation). It might help to set up a prize system for yourself to keep you going if that's too hard. To keep going with a big project that's too much for you, remember yourself why it's important to you (discovered reason). If you feel like you have to do something you don't want to, try to rethink it in a way that fits with your values (introduced motivation).
The Right Amount of Drive
Also, it's important to find a balance between these types of drives. Too much stress on things like awards and praise that aren't intrinsic can make you lose sight of the fun in what you're doing. Having said that, depending only on internal drive might not always be enough to get tough jobs done. To stay committed and involved in different parts of your life, it's important to understand and balance these drives.
How to Get More Motivated
Here are some things you can do to get yourself more motivated:
- Set clear goals. Having a goal in mind can help you feel like you're going in the right way.
- Have fun with small wins; don't wait until the end to bow out. Take a moment to notice your progress as you go.
- Place yourself around upbeat people: Positive energy can spread through friends, teachers, or material that makes you feel good.
- Learn more about what drives you. The more you know about it, the better you can use it to reach your goals.
In conclusion
You can be motivated to reach your goals whether it comes from inside you (intrinsic), from outside benefits (extrinsic), from pressures inside you (introjected), or from realizing how important a task is (3 identified). If you know about these different types of motivation and how they work together, you can better plan your own journey and stay inspired to reach your goals. Remember that the most important thing is to keep going, one step at a time, and find what works for you.