Motivation is just a fancy word that translates into “What makes us do stuff?”
Like, why do we bother doing the things we do, or the things that help us reach our goals?
When we talk about motivation, we’re really talking about our inner drive to get things done.
Sometimes, we all wish at some time or another that we had a bit more motivation to tackle those to-do jobs or achieve our dreams.
Motivation really involves three key things
Choosing to Act: It’s about deciding to do something.
Sticking with It: It’s about keeping at it even when it gets tough.
Putting in the Effort: It’s about how hard we work on it (Dörnyei & Ushioda, 2013).
So motivation is more or less responsible for why we do some things, how long we keep doing them for, and how hard we try to do them.
But here’s the deal, motivation isn’t a constant thing.
It does a bit of yoyoing as we work on different goals.
On some days we can get all super motivated, and other days, ok not so much.
That’s just how it goes (Dörnyei & Ushioda, 2013).
So, What Makes Us Motivated?
Think of motivation like a domino effect.
Sometimes, it’s the cause of our actions, and other times, it can be the result.
For instance, if we’re not motivated to study for a test, we might not do well on the test.
And guess what?
That can make us even less motivated to study in the future.
So, low motivation can lead to even lower motivation.
It’s like a downward spiral.
On the flip side, if we’re motivated to do something we love, like say playing the guitar, it’s a win-win situation.
We enjoy strumming the chords, and the better we get, the more motivated we become.
It’s a sort of positive loop that keeps us going (Dörnyei & Ushioda, 2013).
The Science of Motivation: Understanding Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation
Let’s break down the two different types of motivation intrinsic and extrinsic that can help explain why we do things the way we do.
Don’t worry; I’ll keep it simple.
Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic motivation is when you do something just because it’s enjoyable or interesting.
There’s no need for a reward like money or a good grade.
In fact, offering those kinds of rewards can sometimes make you less motivated.
Think of it as doing something because you genuinely like doing it, without needing a prize (Lindenberg, 2001).
Extrinsic Motivation
Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is all about doing something for a reward.
For instance, you work because you get paid.
The catch is you only get paid if you work.
Extrinsic rewards can be a great push in the short term, but they can also have a downside.
For instance, it might make you feel a bit like a robot, kind of just working for the sake of theprize.
Imagine getting a bonus for doing good work, which sounds nice, right?
But sometimes, it can backfire and make you feel like you’re just some sort of money-making machine (Benabou & Tirole, 2003).
3 Simple Proven Techniques to Boost Motivation
Plan it Out
Motivation involves lots of steps like planning, setting goals, deciding what you want to do, taking action, and seeing how you did (Dörnyei & Ushioda, 2013).
If all of this sounds a bit overwhelming doesn’t it?
But don’t worry, just go ahead and make your plan.
Think of it like a roadmap to your goal.
Figure out what you need to do, what comes first, and how each step takes you closer to what you want.
It’s like having a clear path to follow.
Use Implementation Intentions
Okay, this might sound fancy, but it’s not.
Implementation intentions are like setting up a game plan. (Gollwitzer, 1999).
It’s as simple as saying, “IF this happens, THEN I’ll do that.”
It keeps you on track, no matter what life throws at you.
For example, if you start feeling lazy about one task, decide ahead of time that you’ll switch to another one.
It’s sort of like having a backup plan.
Break it Down
Big tasks can seem a bit scary, but with a few tweaks, you can make them less intimidating.
Take your to-dos and break them down into smaller, more manageable pieces.
So, let’s say you have homework, instead of tackling it all at once, split it into steps.
Read the textbook, make some note cards, and then review them.
Take one step at a time instead of leaping all the way to the finish line.
So, there you have it, three simple but effective ways to fire up your motivation!
References
● Benabou, R., & Tirole, J. (2003). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. The review of economic studies, 70(3), 489-520.
● Dörnyei, Z., & Ushioda, E. (2013). Teaching and researching: Motivation. Routledge.
● Gollwitzer, P. M. (1999). Implementation intentions: strong effects of simple plans. American psychologist, 54(7), 493.
● Lindenberg, S. (2001). Intrinsic motivation in a new light. Kyklos, 54(2‐3), 317-342.
