Motivation Types & Importance
Motivation Types & Importance
Motivation is an incredibly important aspect of life, but it’s hard to talk about motivation without oversimplifying things or lumping different types of motivation into one category. There are actually four different types of motivation that you should know about, and understanding the differences between them will help you make better choices in how you motivate yourself, your employees, and even your children. Here’s an overview to get you started!
What are the types of motivation?
Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsically motivated people are intrinsically driven to accomplish tasks or activities because they want to. This type of this motivation is powerful. These people enjoy learning new things and usually have a good work ethic. Intrinsically motivated people are more likely to persevere through difficult tasks because they want to learn and grow from them.
Extrinsically motivated people tend to be externally influenced by factors such as money or approval from others.
Extrinsic Motivation
For extrinsic motivation to work well, there needs to be a reward or punishment involved in the process. The reward needs to be fairly substantial and the punishment needs to be swift.
Punishment-Based Motivation
If the carrot isn't enticing enough to get someone to work hard, then the stick might be needed. This type of motivation is often referred to as punishment-based because it relies on some form of punishment for those who do not meet expectations. For example, if a company wants their employees to be more productive and put in more hours at work, then they might offer a competitive pay rate for overtime hours or even penalize employees with a decrease in compensation if they don't put in the required time.
Why is motivation important in learning
The importance of motivation can’t be overstated when you are trying to reach your goals and live your best life possible. If you don’t have the motivation to work toward what you want, then you won’t be successful no matter how intelligent or capable you may be. So, what do you need to know about motivation to be motivated? Let’s take a look!
Motivation isn’t something you can buy
Motivation may be the most talked about topic in personal development, but it isn’t something you can buy. As they say, people who are motivated to do something usually don’t need the motivation to do it. So the question isn’t how to motivate people, but how to get them to want what you want them to want.
When motivated, most people can achieve great things
It's often said that success is a result of motivation. All the hard work you put in, the long hours you spent studying, and all the effort you exerted could easily be in vain if at the end of it all there was no motivation to finish what you started. If you're not motivated to do something, then it's likely that your efforts won't have as positive an impact on your life as they would if you were driven by a goal.
No matter how determined, we all need a little push sometimes
In a 2016 study from the University of Pennsylvania, it was found that when people are stuck in a state of ambivalence, they are less likely to take action to reach their goals. To take control and make things happen, motivation is necessary. Once you get started with your plan, the task becomes less daunting and more manageable.
What spurs you may not propel another person
What motivates me is creating a life I love and making the world a better place. To do this, I need to be constantly learning and growing. But what motivates me may not motivate someone else. The key is to find what gets you excited and go after it!
Use your unique motivations as a tool to stay focused
Every successful person has a unique motivation to keep them focused on their goals. For me, my motivation is to never go back to the life I had before. Working two jobs and not being able to afford anything can be really discouraging. That's why I want to make sure that I am always pushing myself forward so that I don't ever have to go back. My self-motivation pushes me through any obstacles that arise and motivates me every day!
Being motivated makes the hard times easier
When times get tough, motivation can be the difference between giving up and pushing forward. There is a sense of momentum that comes with being motivated, and it can make the hard times easier to manage. Even when you are tired, overwhelmed, or frustrated, motivation will help you to keep going and overcome those obstacles.
How do you stay motivated?
It's easy to get motivated when you have a goal in mind. Me, I'm doing this as a side gig so it's not my only responsibility, and I don't want to be bored with my work. So I set goals that are achievable but push me out of my comfort zone.
Examples of activities that might be motivating to others but not yourself
Different people find motivation in different things. Some people need to work on creative projects, while others get a burst from trying to beat their personal best at a fitness activity. If you're struggling to find your own sources of motivation, take some time to think about what makes you feel happy and fulfilled.
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