This Is How You Can Ignite Your Fading Motivation

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Motivation is the intangible force that influences the direction and intensity of our behavior, propelling us toward or directing us away from achieving our goals. While incentives can provide a short-term motivational boost, the most successful individuals rely on other strategies to achieve optimal performance. One approach to enhance our achievement probabilities is understanding and harnessing intrinsic motivation, which, when used correctly, can be a game-changer to unlock our maximum potential and get us through any motivational lapses.

What Is Intrinsic Motivation?

Intrinsic motivation refers to the internal desire or drive to engage in an activity for its own sake, without any external rewards or pressures. It is the inherent enjoyment, fulfillment, or personal satisfaction one obtains from engaging in an activity. Unlike extrinsic motivation, which relies on external incentives like money or praise, intrinsic motivation comes from within and taps into our innate need to feel good about who we are and what we are capable of accomplishing.

Why Intrinsic Motivation Matters

In a previous article, I touted the usefulness of extrinsic reward as a catalyst toward reaching work goals. While extrinsic motivation can be effective in many situations, research suggests that intrinsic motivation is a more powerful and sustainable force for long-term engagement, creativity, and personal growth (Deci & Ryan, 2022). When we are intrinsically motivated, we become fully absorbed in the activity, experience flow (losing a sense of time), and derive genuine satisfaction from the process itself. Thus, intrinsic enjoyment often leads to enhanced performance, persistence, and a deeper sense of meaning and fulfillment in our lives.

Cultivating Intrinsic Motivation

Considering the substantial benefits of intrinsic “mo,” it is incumbent upon each person to figure out how to spark their inner drive. Keep in mind that what ignites intrinsic motivation in one individual may be completely uninteresting or inappropriate for another. Thus, we must operate under the assumption that everyone is unique and the specific strategy blend that one chooses is personal, just like the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the type of people we find most attractive. Consider these approaches (Hoffman, 2015) and then adapt accordingly to satisfy your personal preferences:

Tap into your passions: First, figure out what gets you excited, absent any type of external incentive. In other words, what would you do without compensation or without sharing your accomplishments with others?Engaging in activities that align with our interests and values is a foundational step in cultivating intrinsic motivation. Reflect upon what truly drives you, explore different hobbies, and carve out time for activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.

Set meaningful and realistic goals: Define clear, challenging, and personally meaningful goals that align with your values. Having a sense of purpose and direction can provide the necessary intrinsic motivation to overcome obstacles and persevere. Don’t be overly rigorous or unreasonable when it comes to goal progress, as you will falter when you feel inadequate or dissatisfied with your progress.

Create an optimal performance culture: Figure out under which circumstances you perform best. This means designing a workplace or performance environment that boosts your productivity. This may mean having others observe you, working with music, or even isolating yourself for endless hours. What works best for you may be very different than what propels the performance of others, so seek suggestions from others, but go with your gut and choose the culture that best supports you.

Embrace the growth mindset: Cultivate a growth mindset, which means you believe that abilities and skills are developed through effort and practice. Enhance your probability for success by removing self-doubt and believing that you can reach your intended goal. Take pleasure in both setbacks and achievements because they help you get closer to the goal. This perspective fuels intrinsic motivation by shifting the focus from outcomes to the process of learning and improvement.

Celebrate progress and small wins: Acknowledging and celebrating your achievements along the way can boost intrinsic motivation. This may mean materialistically rewarding yourself with a reward, break, or whatever makes you feel good. Break down bigger goals into smaller milestones and reward yourself when you reach them. Celebration helps maintain motivation and a sense of progress.

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What Happens When You Are Intrinsically Motivated?

Once you gain momentum and realize that progress is incremental, a number of changes will occur. First, you will realize that even minor progress gets you closer to the desired outcome. You likely won’t experience flawless performance, but it won’t matter because you are making strides and realistically know that a prerequisite to excellence is learning from mistakes. You will also realize that your dedicated effort leads to a number of positive changes in your overall outlook.

Increased creativity and innovation: Intrinsic motivation fosters creativity by allowing us to explore ideas, take risks, and think outside the box (Fischer et al., 2019). When motivated by our genuine interests, we are more likely to generate novel solutions and make innovative contributions.

Enhanced performance and productivity: When we are intrinsically motivated, we approach tasks with enthusiasm and persistence (Cerasoli et al., 2014). This heightened engagement enhances our performance, productivity, and overall satisfaction in the work we do.

Greater well-being and fulfillment: Intrinsic motivation has been linked to higher levels of overall well-being and life satisfaction. Engaging in activities that tap into our intrinsic desires fosters a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and psychological flourishing (Deci & Ryan, 2005).

Long-term perseverance: Unlike extrinsic rewards, which can lose their appeal over time, intrinsic motivation provides a durable source of energy and perseverance. It fuels us even in the face of challenges and setbacks, allowing us to stay resilient and committed to our goals (Bandura, 1997).

What It All Means

Cultivating and harnessing intrinsic motivation has the potential to transform our lives, both personally and professionally. By understanding the power of intrinsic "mo" and implementing practical strategies to nurture it, we can unlock our full potential, find joy in the journey, and achieve remarkable results. Embrace your inner motivation, pursue meaningful goals, and let the magic of intrinsic motivation shape the trajectory of your accomplishments, even when the long, hot summer withers your drive and desire!