5 Benefits of Building Intrinsic Motivation (+Tips)

When motivation comes from within, your path to success is fuelled by passion, principles, and the simple joy of doing things for their own sake. 

This is intrinsic motivation, aka the driving force behind the most annoyingly self-disciplined people everywhere 🙄

You know the type: people who love mornings, get excited by big problems, and don’t need coffee to get through the day alive. These people are driven by a mysterious force outside the realm of deadlines, bosses, and the next pay raise.

That force is called intrinsic motivation.

In contrast to extrinsic motivation, where success is driven by the drive for external rewards or avoidance of failure, internal motivation is self-determined. 

With intrinsic motivation as the driving force behind achieving your goals, pursuing success contributes to fulfilling your sense of purpose in life. Escalating external rewards or punishment for failure? You don’t need them to get things done! People who are intrinsically motivated are driven to success by the desire to align external conditions with their inner values.

In this article, you'll learn all about the theories behind intrinsic motivation, its numerous benefits, and some practical tips to help you cultivate it. So, whether you're looking to boost your productivity, find joy in your work, or simply lead a more fulfilling life, read on to discover the magic of intrinsic motivation!

What Is Intrinsic Motivation?

The science community defines intrinsic motivation as the spontaneous tendency to be curious and interested, seek out challenges, and exercise and develop skills in the absence of operationally separable rewards. ¹ 

Clinical psychologists Ryan and Deci, experts in the field, define intrinsic motivation as “doing an activity for its inherent satisfaction rather than for some separable consequence.” ² 

When intrinsically motivated, a person is moved to act out of curiosity for the challenge, rather than to gain rewards or conform to external pressures.

When it comes to motivation and rewards, everyone has a unique approach and perspective. It's important to understand the factors that promote intrinsic motivation so that you can see how it works and how it can benefit you personally.

Experts Malone and Leeper identify the following factors as increasing intrinsic motivation: ³

• Curiosity: You can experience increased internal motivation through two means. Firstly, when something in your physical environment catches your attention and sparks your sensory curiosity. Secondly, when the activity you are engaged in stimulates your personal desire to learn more, triggering your cognitive curiosity.

• Recognition: Receiving recognition from others for your accomplishments can boost your internal motivation and bring a sense of fulfillment.

• Challenge: If you have personally meaningful goals, you're likely to feel more motivated to achieve them. Having a chance of attaining the goal but not being certain, can also contribute to your motivation. Your self-esteem can be tied to these goals; receiving performance feedback can further increase your drive to reach them.

• Cooperation and competition: Finding satisfaction in assisting others can enhance your intrinsic motivation. Similarly, comparing your performance to that of others in a positive way can also increase your intrinsic motivation.

• Control: It is a fundamental human need to feel in control of one's life and surroundings. We all crave the ability to determine our path and pursue the most important goals.

Theories of Motivation

As simple as motivation seems, it is actually a complex psychological phenomenon that psychologists have studied for decades. There are various theories of motivation, all aiming to explain why people behave in certain ways and what factors influence their behavior. With the help of different theories, one can discover multiple answers to this question.

• Self-determination theory is one of the most well-known social psychology theories of motivation and provides a useful framework for understanding intrinsic motivation. This theory suggests that all humans have three basic psychological needs—autonomy, competence, and sense of relatedness—that underlie growth and development. In other words, people are more likely to be intrinsically motivated when they have a sense of control over their actions, feel capable of achieving their goals, and feel connected to others. Self-determination theory suggests that these three basic psychological needs are essential for psychological well-being and personal growth.

• Maslow's hierarchy of needs is another influential theory of human motivation. Maslow’s hierarchy emphasizes the importance of fulfilling basic needs before moving on to higher-level needs. Maslow proposed that people are motivated to fulfill their basic physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization needs. According to Maslow, people must satisfy their lower-level needs before being motivated by higher-level needs. Once people have satisfied their basic needs, they are more likely to be intrinsically motivated to pursue personal growth and self-actualization. 

• McClelland's theory of needs suggests that we all have three basic needs that motivate us: achievement, affiliation, and power. For example, let's say you have a coworker who is always striving to accomplish their goals - that's the achievement needed in action. Or maybe you have a friend who is always seeking to connect with others - that's the need for affiliation. And then some are always looking for ways to influence others - that's the need for power. By understanding these needs, we can tailor our motivational strategies to help others achieve their personal goals and feel more fulfilled in their work and personal lives.

Despite their differences, all of these theories of motivation share the assumption that motivation is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon influenced by various factors. They also suggest that intrinsic motivation is essential for psychological well-being and personal growth. Finally, they emphasize the importance of understanding individual differences in motivation and tailoring motivational strategies to meet your unique needs and personal goals.

Intrinsic Motivation vs. Extrinsic Motivation

Although there is no hard scientific evidence to prove it, many people believe that we tend to do things more for external rewards than for our own personal enjoyment. This is called extrinsic motivation. For instance, you might work hard to earn more money, get a promotion, or impress your boss. In contrast, intrinsic motivation refers to what we do because we find it satisfying or enjoyable. This could be anything from reading a book to pursuing a hobby or a passion project.

While intrinsic motivation refers to the drive to achieve a goal because of the internal satisfaction that comes with completing the task or achieving the goal, extrinsic motivation refers to the drive to accomplish a goal because of the external rewards that come with completing the task or achieving the goal.

• People who exhibit intrinsic motivation are often driven by a sense of personal satisfaction or a basic desire to learn and grow. They may possess qualities such as curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to take risks. For example, someone intrinsically motivated to learn a new language may do so because they enjoy the challenge of mastering a new skill and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it.

• People who exhibit extrinsic motivation are often driven by extrinsic rewards such as money, recognition, or status. They may possess qualities such as competitiveness, a desire for achievement, and a willingness to work hard to reach their personal goals. For example, someone who is extrinsically motivated to earn a promotion at work may do so because they want a higher salary, increased responsibility, or the recognition that comes with the new position (external benefits).

Both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation can effectively drive you to achieve your personal goals. Effective time management involves not only managing tasks and schedules but also balancing and optimizing energy levels and intrinsic motivation. However, the type of motivation that is most effective may vary depending on the situation and the individual. Ultimately, the key is to find a balance between the two types of motivation that work best for you and your unique circumstances.

[define: intrinsic motivation ]

[define: extrinsic motivation ]

5 Benefits of Cultivating Intrinsic Motivation

Exploring and cultivating your own intrinsic motivation can help you to develop an internal compass that guides you effortlessly toward what matters most in your life.

If you find yourself frequently questioning the meaning behind your daily tasks (or even life, for that matter), focusing on your unique motivators has abundant benefits. That being said, there is nothing wrong with finding the will to start another day by focusing on your next paycheck.

Heck, when every day feels like an endless drag of groan-worthy tasks, whatever gets you going is good 👍🏽

But what about once you get paid? Becoming aware of your unique intrinsic motivation can help you remember why you’re doing what you’re doing after the reward wears off. Here are some of the other benefits of cultivating intrinsic motivation:

1. Steadier, More Sustainable Motivation

Unlike extrinsic motivation, which relies on external rewards, intrinsic motivation is self-sustaining, meaning you are likely to remain motivated even in the absence of external rewards.

2. More Expansive Self-Awareness

Intrinsic motivation encourages you to seek out new challenges and learning opportunities, which can lead to personal growth and development.

3. Improved Overall Wellbeing

Intrinsic motivation is associated with a greater wellbeing. It nourishes a sense of purpose and personal fulfillment and may work to prevent burnout.

4. Greater Independence

Intrinsic motivation can make you feel more in control of your actions and decisions, leading to a greater sense of autonomy and independence.

5. Feel-Good Productivity

When you are intrinsically motivated, happiness comes from knowing that your hard work is moving you toward alignment with your values - not just the next big milestone or purchase.

Tips for Cultivating Intrinsic Motivation

Cultivating intrinsic motivation starts with identifying the things you truly enjoy doing and find meaningful. When you engage in activities you enjoy, you are more likely to feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, boosting your motivation levels. Here are some specific tips that can help you cultivate intrinsic motivation:

• Explore Your Passions: Take the time to explore activities and hobbies that genuinely interest you. Whether painting, writing, playing a musical instrument, or gardening, engaging in activities that align with your passions can ignite your intrinsic motivation and provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

• Set Meaningful Goals: Identify goals that are personally meaningful to you. Remember to break these goals down into smaller, achievable steps. Working towards personal goals that resonate with your values and aspirations can fuel your intrinsic motivation and drive.

• Embrace Challenges: Challenge yourself to step outside of your comfort zone and tackle new experiences or learning opportunities. Embracing challenges allows you to stretch your capabilities and build confidence in your abilities, leading to a sense of mastery and intrinsic satisfaction.

• Focus on the Process: Shift your focus from solely on the outcome to the process itself. Instead of fixating on end results or external rewards, immerse yourself in the present moment and enjoy the journey of learning and growth. Appreciating the process can enhance intrinsic motivation and deepen your engagement in activities.

• Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Adopt a growth mindset, believing that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and perseverance. A growth mindset fosters resilience and a sense of agency, nurturing your intrinsic motivation to pursue challenges and personal development.

How to Harness Intrinsic Motivation When Setting Goals

When setting goals, leveraging your intrinsic motivation to create meaningful objectives is essential for actually staying on track to achieve them. This can be done by focusing on the process of setting and achieving longer-term goals, rather than focusing exclusively on achieving results. For example, instead of solely focusing on the weight you want to lose, focus on the healthy habits you must implement to reach your goal. Doing so makes you more likely to feel a sense of accomplishment along the way, which can help fuel your motivation to keep going.

Intrinsic motivation also has great benefits for collaboration when working towards a goal together. By understanding what motivates each team member, you can assign tasks that align with team members’ interests and core values, increasing their motivation to perform well.

By recognizing the importance of intrinsic motivation and incorporating it into our goal-setting and teamwork strategies, you can create a more positive and fulfilling work environment where everyone can thrive.

• Sources

  1. Di Domenico, S. I., and R. M. Ryan. 2017. “The Emerging Neuroscience of Intrinsic Motivation: A New Frontier in Self-Determination Research.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 11:145. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00145.

  2. Ryan R. M., Deci E. L. (2000). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations: classic definitions and new directions. Contemp. Educ. Psychol. 25, 54–67 10.1006/ceps.1999.1020 [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]

  3. Cherry, K. (2016). What is intrinsic motivation. About. com Psychology retrieved from.