Motivation: Extrinsic Vs. Intrinsic
Extrinsic motivation occurs when you act in order to get a reward or avoid punishment. For example, a child may wish to join the basketball team in order to gain popularity and get closer to the cheerleaders.
When doing an activity that is enjoyable in and of itself, this is referred to as intrinsic motivation. A child wishes to join the basketball team since he enjoys the sport. Or he's enthralled by the prospect of learning the game. The incentive is internal.
Consider the following examples:
Most people do not go to work because they enjoy their job (intrinsic). They go because they are compensated for it (extrinsic).
A child performs tasks in order to obtain a reward or avoid punishment. (extrinsic)
Do you want to establish a business because the challenge appeals to you (intrinsic)? Or, do you hate the idea of starting a business but like the idea of making money from it (extrinsic)?
Do you enjoy spending time with your partner (intrinsic), or are financial security, friendship, and the ability to have children the most important benefits (extrinsic)?
Do you stay with your partner out of love (intrinsic) or fear of the consequences of leaving (extrinsic)?
Do you find it difficult to achieve anything without a deadline (extrinsic)? Or, do you enjoy the sense of completing tasks and can't stop yourself from doing so as quickly as possible (intrinsic)?
We all have internal and external motivators.
Because intrinsic motivation is based on how you truly feel about something, it is a more effective approach to achieving long-term happiness.These approaches will assist you in developing more intrinsic motivation in your daily life:
1.Make a list of your favorite activities. If your doctor recommends that you increase your physical activity, there are numerous options available to you. Tennis, running, swimming, weight lifting, and soccer are all options. If one of those activities appeals to you, it stands to reason that you should pursue it.
Whenever you need to do anything, think of the most fun way to do it. When you find something you appreciate, it will be difficult to stop doing it.
2. Determine how you will reward yourself. A reward as basic as pumping your fist in the air and congratulating yourself can suffice. If at all feasible, avoid employing an external reward system.
Assume you want to do 25 pushups every morning. You jump up in the air after finishing your pushups and tell yourself how great you are. Over time, that little reward can make pushups more fun and appealing. This is also how habits are formed.
3. Recognize WHY you are doing something. Even the tiniest tasks can be tied to a larger goal. Playing piano scales may seem like a waste of time, but if you think they are important for learning how to play the piano, they take on a lot more meaning.
Most individuals can't understand why a millionaire or billionaire would keep working. This is because most people work solely for monetary gain. Take away the money, and they'll quit going to work. Give them enough money that they no longer require, and they will stop.
The billionaire, on the other hand, becomes a billionaire because he enjoys constructing and creating. His primary source of motivation is intrinsic. The money comes second. That is why he is never idle.
Intrinsic motivation will keep you wanting more. Extrinsic incentives are less trustworthy. When the external incentive is no longer appealing, you will stop repeating that activity.
Find activities you enjoy doing and do them. You will be happier if you use your natural interests to your advantage.