Have you ever thought, why some people are happy and why some are not? The major cause of sadness lies in dissatisfaction and man's craving for more. Our behavior is always goal oriented, each one of us is striving to get something or the other. But, why are we doing it? The answer to this is generally some reward. For example, if you work hard in the office, you will be rewarded with incentives or a raise in the salary. If you study hard, you will get good marks or some gift from your parents, etc. But what if these rewards were not there? Would we be so committed to our work even then? That depends on the kind of motivation we are driven by. There are times when we would be passionate and committed to do something even when we are not promised any reward. And it happens when we are intrinsically motivated. Intrinsic motivation is an inner or self motivation, that inspires people irrespective of any reward.
What is Intrinsic Motivation?
Motivation is generally defined as, goal oriented inspiration. We can be inspired to do various things in life. Intrinsic motivation refers to inner and genuine inspiration, that a person indulges in without any expectations. In such a frame of mind, people take up things or do something just because they like it or because they think it is good or a nice thing to do. Here they are not concerned about what they will get out it. They do it because for sheer satisfaction and/or joy. For example, a person interested in dance rehearses for hours not because he or she wants to win some competition or wants recognition, but just for the pure joy of dancing and self improvement. Another example of intrinsic motivation can be of a student who studies really hard, not to get good grades, but because he or she is really interested in that subject. In such a case, even if the student fails or gets less marks, he or she continues to study that subject and takes failures as learning lessons. This is called as an intrinsic motivation.
On the other hand, there is one more type of motivation, known as extrinsic motivation. As the name suggests, extrinsic motivation refers to the inspiration that depends on external reward. For example, a student who is extrinsically motivated, studies because he or she wants good marks. Here, if he or she enjoys studying the subject or not does not matter. The only goal of the student is to get good marks, and he works hard even if he hates the subject. People with extrinsic motivation are so goal oriented, that they hardly pay attention to their happiness andpersonal development. Achievement of their goal or target is their only aim, that gives them joy. Extrinsic motivation is subject to change and variation with value of the reward. Such a person is demotivated easily when the reward is absent. For example, if a worker is told that he or she won't get any incentives for extra contribution, he or she may not work hard. So, this is a primary difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
Effects of Intrinsic Motivation
What is the difference between Einstein and any other unknown scientist? We can say that Einstein was a person with intrinsic motivation. He was so passionate about his research and subject area, that even after so many failures, he continued studying and experimenting. The same with other great artists and scientists, who kept perusing hard until they got the desired result. They could do it because they liked what they did. It was something they felt for from the bottom of their hearts. They were so passionate that no amount of failure could stop them. I know, every one cannot become Einstein. But if you do something that you are interested in, you would hardly think about the reward.
People with intrinsic motivation are known to feel more happiness and satisfaction in life as compared to people with extrinsic motivation. According to psychologists, people with intrinsic motivation tend to excel and perform better in their tasks, whereas, people with extrinsic behavior or lack of interest are impulsive and can easily give up or lose faith, that may put them in the girth of depression.
Endless curiosity and hunger to learn and acquire knowledge are part of basic intrinsic motivation strategies. Just go back to your childhood and try to recall if you ever felt lack of motivationand you would hardly find such events. The reason for this is, that children are always curious and in quest of exploring their environment. But as humans grow, this quality tends to diminish. This makes us lose interest in things which do not fetch us any monetary rewards. So, to keep your spirits high, always keep the child in you alive and you are sure to get intrinsic motivation, that will bring you satisfaction and joy.
You can acquire intrinsic motivation in the workplace with positive thinking. In today's world it may not be possible to do what you like; so learn to like what you do. And this liking will provide you with intrinsic employee motivation. With the same logic, you can acquire intrinsic motivation in classroom. If you take up a subject of your interest, then do not think about success or failure, just study because you like it, because you want to get knowledge. If you work or study to learn more, you are sure to excel and the reward and success is sure to follow your excellence. So sincerity, dedication, commitment and quest for knowledge will surely ignite the intrinsic motivation in you and help you succeed in what you do.
In this materialistic world, life is all about loss and profits, and intrinsic motivation is the only way to get the mental peace and harmony. So, give priority to your inner happiness and love every moment you live, that will, in turn keep you motivated in all the ups and downs in life.
What is Intrinsic Motivation?
Motivation is generally defined as, goal oriented inspiration. We can be inspired to do various things in life. Intrinsic motivation refers to inner and genuine inspiration, that a person indulges in without any expectations. In such a frame of mind, people take up things or do something just because they like it or because they think it is good or a nice thing to do. Here they are not concerned about what they will get out it. They do it because for sheer satisfaction and/or joy. For example, a person interested in dance rehearses for hours not because he or she wants to win some competition or wants recognition, but just for the pure joy of dancing and self improvement. Another example of intrinsic motivation can be of a student who studies really hard, not to get good grades, but because he or she is really interested in that subject. In such a case, even if the student fails or gets less marks, he or she continues to study that subject and takes failures as learning lessons. This is called as an intrinsic motivation.
On the other hand, there is one more type of motivation, known as extrinsic motivation. As the name suggests, extrinsic motivation refers to the inspiration that depends on external reward. For example, a student who is extrinsically motivated, studies because he or she wants good marks. Here, if he or she enjoys studying the subject or not does not matter. The only goal of the student is to get good marks, and he works hard even if he hates the subject. People with extrinsic motivation are so goal oriented, that they hardly pay attention to their happiness andpersonal development. Achievement of their goal or target is their only aim, that gives them joy. Extrinsic motivation is subject to change and variation with value of the reward. Such a person is demotivated easily when the reward is absent. For example, if a worker is told that he or she won't get any incentives for extra contribution, he or she may not work hard. So, this is a primary difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
Effects of Intrinsic Motivation
What is the difference between Einstein and any other unknown scientist? We can say that Einstein was a person with intrinsic motivation. He was so passionate about his research and subject area, that even after so many failures, he continued studying and experimenting. The same with other great artists and scientists, who kept perusing hard until they got the desired result. They could do it because they liked what they did. It was something they felt for from the bottom of their hearts. They were so passionate that no amount of failure could stop them. I know, every one cannot become Einstein. But if you do something that you are interested in, you would hardly think about the reward.
People with intrinsic motivation are known to feel more happiness and satisfaction in life as compared to people with extrinsic motivation. According to psychologists, people with intrinsic motivation tend to excel and perform better in their tasks, whereas, people with extrinsic behavior or lack of interest are impulsive and can easily give up or lose faith, that may put them in the girth of depression.
Endless curiosity and hunger to learn and acquire knowledge are part of basic intrinsic motivation strategies. Just go back to your childhood and try to recall if you ever felt lack of motivationand you would hardly find such events. The reason for this is, that children are always curious and in quest of exploring their environment. But as humans grow, this quality tends to diminish. This makes us lose interest in things which do not fetch us any monetary rewards. So, to keep your spirits high, always keep the child in you alive and you are sure to get intrinsic motivation, that will bring you satisfaction and joy.
You can acquire intrinsic motivation in the workplace with positive thinking. In today's world it may not be possible to do what you like; so learn to like what you do. And this liking will provide you with intrinsic employee motivation. With the same logic, you can acquire intrinsic motivation in classroom. If you take up a subject of your interest, then do not think about success or failure, just study because you like it, because you want to get knowledge. If you work or study to learn more, you are sure to excel and the reward and success is sure to follow your excellence. So sincerity, dedication, commitment and quest for knowledge will surely ignite the intrinsic motivation in you and help you succeed in what you do.
In this materialistic world, life is all about loss and profits, and intrinsic motivation is the only way to get the mental peace and harmony. So, give priority to your inner happiness and love every moment you live, that will, in turn keep you motivated in all the ups and downs in life.
Source: http://www.blogger.com
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