Self-motivation - the ability to do what needs to be done without influence from other people or situations - is commonly referred to as drive. Some of us just have more of it than others. Some use inspiration to drive them. Others have a propensity for it, such as those with type A personalities.
Motivational psychology has provided insights and clarity into intrinsic and extrinsic motivation that the "layperson" often views as internal and external. While this simplistic interpretation attempts to identify the origin of the motivation, it fails to address the causes of it.
When I created my 2014 micro-documentary, Drive, I received feedback from viewers who told me that their take-away was that intrinsic motivation is more important than extrinsic motivation. That's simply not true.
Neither form of motivation is better/worse or more/less important.
Taken from the perspective that any form of motivation that yields results is good, there really is no argument. But the argument that tends to arise is similar to the nature versus nurture debate, which ultimately got resolved by debating parties agreeing that nature works with nurture in development of human behaviors.
The same is often true with intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
Children are prime examples. They need extrinsic motivators, initially to set them on a path to reveal their intrinsic motivations. Intrinsic motivations (motivation that are genuinely rewarding) take time to discover. Some children discover them sooner than later. When pushed into playing sports (or any other activity) in pursuit of extrinsic goals such as money, rewards, accolades, status, etc., the issue of personal meaning will surface.
Success is personal.
Intrinsic motivation comes from within, and for that reason, I will always bet on the person or the team that has a personal agenda or vendetta to win any game. Our personal motivations both fuel and strengthen us because they are spawned by our personal interests; no interest means no engagement, no engagement means no drive. It's a true yin yang; their existence is based on their co-existence.
No comments:
Post a Comment