The Types of Motivation You Need to Get Things Done

It’s the reason you keep going. It’s why even in unexpected circumstances, or when your mood isn’t quite right, or when there’s simply something bothering you which you believe will be holding you back for several days—you still keep going.

That’s right, motivation simply could fuel you into consistent action.

I won’t talk about the exact motivation you need; instead, I’ll tell you of the types of motivation you’ll need to at least finish any undertaking, and from there you can determine what precisely could work for you.

The Two Types of Motivation

Motivation is generally categorized into two types: intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation.

Intrinsic motivation is what drives you to do something in exchange for an incentive you set for yourself, on a personal level. This incentive is usually a desired form of satisfaction from doing whatever it is you want. Learning to play the guitar simply because you want to be great at it, hiking because you want to experience nature, reading lots of books because you want to learn a specific interest from different angles—these are examples of such type of motivation.

A researcher, however, believes that intrinsic motivation doesn’t exist—motivation merely shouldn’t be divided into categories. There are different ways a person gets motivated, and labelling them as an intrinsic motivation (or any other type) is just limiting.

Extrinsic motivation, the other type, is the same as intrinsic motivation, but the incentive comes from outside of yourself. Working hard to get that promotion, taking care of your integrity to gain the respect of others, honing your communication skills to avoid misunderstandings with anyone—these are of a type of motivation in which you can never claim the incentives all by yourself.

Why Intrinsic Motivation Is All You Need

There may be a lot of motivators you could think of right now, but like the examples above, think why exactly you’d pursue something. In any undertaking, especially those that would require a substantial amount of time, you’ll be dealing with the boring parts, you’ll be doing some grunt work—you’ll be carrying on enjoying not quite everything there is to it.

You finish an endeavor simply because you believe you need to.

You know there are extrinsic types of motivation that could indeed become a lure, but the truth is you’ll always seek the personal rewards, the satisfaction, after all has been done.

Would you agree that extrinsic motivation is still all about intrinsic motivation?

A study reveals that intrinsic motivation is all you’ll need in the long run. The study suggests that when you’re intrinsically motivated to reach a goal, but are too affected by the added benefits brought by that goal, you will likely fail. These added benefits are an extrinsic incentive, which only strengthens the study’s argument.

Think about it: Not all extrinsic motivation you find could be right for you. What if those motivators don’t agree with the purpose of your life’s path? What if they’ll work for the majority of other people but just seem wrong for you?

Now, motivation could come with two faces—it could be both intrinsic and extrinsic in nature. But the latter isn’t always necessarily a priority to consider. Motivation could only be a product of your personal desires, not influenced by the outside. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation may sometimes overlap, especially if you have an open mind; you can’t avoid getting confused at times. But you have to examine yourself especially on the goals you engage in every day.

Extrinsic motivation only roots in intrinsic motivation. As the study suggests, extrinsic motivation may only get in the way of your success—they may veer you off from your goals, which have always been out of your personal motivation.

The following are the three types of (intrinsic) motivation you need to get things done, specifically those that would help you get closer to your goals. Remember, extrinsic motivation is only set off by intrinsic motivation. Don’t mind what others would think, as long as you believe you’re doing the right thing, and you recognize that all the other rewards that would come are only second to your personal motivation.

Achievement

Set goals and achieve them. Learn the different aspects of your job, tasks or business. Don’t compare yourself with others. Others may do better; others may also do worse than you. But that wouldn’t matter. Who you should compete with is your previous self.

Examine the fundamentals you can find on your tasks. Try different angles of attack. Always strive to get faster and faster on parts you frequently come across.

Set as many micro-goals as you can every day. Stick with them and always look for ways you can be more efficient. As you achieve them, feel better about yourself, simply because you became better!

The stress you might have probably experienced before will be lessened, if not, avoided at all, because even though how hectic your daily schedule is, you’ll still be able to stick to it and manage your time well. At the end of the day, you’ll definitely get tired, but you’ll always break your productivity record. You’ll get the most important things done!

Growth

Growth comes after continuously accomplishing your everyday mini-goals.

Have you noticed differences in the way you deal with your responsibilities within the past six months? Do you find the then difficult tasks easier now? (Or is it the opposite?) Perhaps you may now even be looking for the more challenging tasks.

You’re simply growing. Whether fast or slow, you are.

Growth happens if you only set your goals straight and learn from your failures. Try thinking about your life from a third person’s point of view. Remember your old habits and determine whether they’ve changed.

How much have you changed? How much have you grown?

If you think change has only been little after a specified timetable, review your goals. You may want to change and tailor them according to the skills you have honed so far, your weaknesses and perhaps the old bad habits you find hard to let go.

Set your goals, get to work and grow. Always go back to your goals, change them if needed and grow even more.

Influence

I’m not necessarily talking about power based on prestige.

I’m talking about the influence in reaching out to and helping others. And by others, I don’t mean the whole world straightaway.

Why do you do what you do? Who do you care for?

Do you want to help your family? Do you want to donate to charity? Do you want to start a movement that would impact many places?

Influence can be done with different tactics, and there should be a balance among them.

Keeping your commitment with whoever you’re working with or building a relationship with will be a part of your motivation for influence. Whatever your plans in the long run, hone your ability to impact others; your goals will truly have a meaning and purpose that way.

Think About It

The intrinsic types of motivation above can be confused as the extrinsic type. But ask yourself how outside incentives could motivate you if you don’t realize your worth, talents and skills simply as they are. It’s great to be inspired by those you truly admire, but motivating yourself, through the very essence of knowing who you have become, and not minding the noise outside, are what really matter. Create or discover your own path. When all rewards will finally come to you, regardless of their source, you’ll realize that it all started from within.

Extrinsic motivation is still tapped to your own intrinsic motivation.

Don’t be blinded by incentives the world may bombard you with. That may just make no sense at all.

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