The first thing to keep in mind is that motivation is much more than just being happy or jumping for joy. It’s much more than that.
We could say that it is a form of energy that pulls us forward and encourages us to do things instead of stopping us from doing them. Others would say that it is that kind of illusion or impulse that makes you capable of doing everything you set your mind to in your day to day.
When we have a motivation we are more confident in ourselves. And this results in our self-confidence. Believing that you are going to achieve it means that there is a very high percentage that it is so, that you are going to achieve it. It may not be everything, but there is a lot you can do if you believe you can.
To a large extent, motivation is given by oneself, and we can control or manage that type of motivation. Now, that motivation can come from external stimuli, which even we can generate to motivate another person. So that there is feedback.
If we had to summarize motivation in one word, it would be emotion. According to scientists, in about 15 minutes on average (sometimes it can be more, other times it can be less), we can spread emotions to another person. That is why it is important to keep in mind that if we apply this motivation in our family, environment, partner… our life can change a lot.
It is also true that each motivation is personal. Each of us has a different motivation. In a generic way, we can be motivated by music, dancing, the high fives of one person with another with enthusiasm…
What do you need to differentiate intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
Definition
- Intrinsic motivation is one that comes from oneself and therefore we have the ability to self-reinforce, that is, we carry out the action for the pleasure of doing it without anything or anyone encouraging us. It makes us believe that everything is possible and that is when there is a greater chance that it will become a reality. This motivation makes us not stop until completing the task. In other words, it is what we “feel” to carry out an activity. For example: a hobby or hobby.
- Extrinsic motivation is motivated by what is received in exchange for performing a certain action or task. For example: doing a job for money, food, social situation, that is, receiving some kind of compensation. In short, we act for a reward. For example: The boss promises to let you leave before work, if you deliver a report that he has urgently requested, but that you don’t feel like doing.
Consider:
- Both motivations can be combined.
Instructions to differentiate intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
Intrinsic motivation
- It is related to the emotions of pleasure that doing an activity produces in us, with the level of challenge that we have proposed and the attitude with which we carry out the work, with our autonomy.
- The stimulus is within us.
- It is related to personal growth, improvement, learning, enjoyment…
- It requires little effort.
Extrinsic motivation
- Extrinsic motivation depends on the
- We seek encouragement/reinforcement outside of ourselves, it can be a reward, money, acceptance…
- We do not have to like the task to be carried out, we will only do it for what we are going to receive in return.
Example: Study a career
Intrinsic motivation:
- It gives me knowledge.
- I overcome personal challenges.
- It gives me experiences.
- It gives me intellectual growth.
Extrinsic motivation:
- I get compliments from my parents.
- I get recognition from my teachers.
- I belong to a group (of students, of friends).
- I get a degree.
Tips to differentiate intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
- Stop to think about what your intrinsic and extrinsic motivations are and how you can manage them in a way that affects your performance and achievements.
- Motivation is good for everything. It is true that in life you are going to go through difficult times and that it will cost more to get out of a situation and therefore it will not be more difficult to find that motivation. But it is important to be aware of when we have said enough, we change our emotions and move to a more motivated attitude. This is because when we are motivated, we can more easily achieve those purposes that we have that will lead us to a better moment. Do not forget that tomorrow we are building today.
- You can do exercises to find that intrinsic motivation.
- Try for a week to get out of bed and put on music that activates you.
- Take two sheets of paper and a pencil. On a piece of paper, write the things that motivate you by completing a sentence. Then turn that phrase into a word. And now write on the other sheet for each of that brief expression what things we can do to make them understand that. For example: “Listen to music motivates me.” Next, the simplified form would be: “Listen to music”. And on the other sheet of paper I would write two times when I could listen to music (listening to music while doing housework, listening to music when I’m in the car).
- In this way, you will find out what things you can do daily that encourage you to take action and you will feel more motivated.
- Finally, it should be noted that when you go to sleep, it is not the time to jump or react with something that motivates you, but to go rest and relax. Because if you reactivate you may not be able to fall asleep.