The Power of Intrinsic Motivation
The Struggle of Waking Up Early
Waking up early
in the morning often feels like a struggle. Why? Because most of the time, the
motivation to do so is external. We aim to achieve monetary goals or
demonstrate to others how active and hardworking we are. However, these
external factors are not always sufficient to sustain our efforts. Consider a
scenario where all our needs are met without needing to wake up early. In such
a situation, would we still feel compelled to rise at dawn if we didn't
internally feel like it? Once our worldly desires are satisfied, the urge to
wake up early might diminish.
However, if we
genuinely believe that waking up early is beneficial for our health and overall
well-being, we are more likely to continue doing so. This belief needs to come
from within, rooted in an understanding of the personal benefits, such as
improved mental clarity, enhanced productivity, and a sense of accomplishment.
When our motivation stems from an internal conviction about the benefits, it
becomes much stronger and more enduring.
Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation
When we are not
driven by external factors like worldly wishes or desires, it is the internal
drive that motivates us. This is known as intrinsic motivation. Intrinsic
motivation keeps us moving even in adverse times and situations. For instance,
a person who exercises because they enjoy the activity and the way it makes
them feel is intrinsically motivated. They are likely to continue exercising
regardless of external circumstances.
In contrast,
extrinsic motivation is driven by factors outside ourselves. This can include
achieving something for someone we love or fulfilling a worldly desire. While
extrinsic motivation can be effective in the short term, it tends to fade when
the external conditions change. For example, if a person exercises solely to
impress someone else, their motivation may diminish once the need to impress is
no longer there. Once the desire is satisfied or the person we wanted to
impress is no longer in the picture, the motivation diminishes.
The Impact of Physical and Emotional Pain
Physical
punishments and tortures, which are related to the world around us, also lose
their effect over time. When the punishment is no longer present, or we become
desensitised to it, we may stop doing the thing that warranted the punishment.
However, emotional pain can have a more lasting impact. This does not mean that
we should inflict emotional pain to motivate someone, but it highlights the
importance of internal motivation. Emotional pain can linger and influence our behaviour
for a long time, potentially leading to changes in our actions that persist
even in the absence of external pressures.
For example, a
person who has experienced the emotional pain of failure might be motivated to
work harder and achieve their goals, driven by a desire to avoid that pain in
the future. This intrinsic motivation can be more powerful and enduring than
any external punishment or reward.
Examples
An addict who
wants to overcome their addiction needs intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic
factors, such as pressure from family or the threat of losing a job, might
initially drive the person to seek help. However, these external motivations
will eventually lose their impact, and the person might relapse once the external
pressure is removed. Intrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is about the person's
internal desire to change.
A typical
example from my culture is telling an overweight person that they need to lose
weight to get married. This is an extrinsic motivation that focuses on external
validation rather than internal well-being. The person might start a weight
loss journey to attract a better suitor, but what happens if that person is no
longer there? Will they continue to take care of themselves? Without intrinsic
motivation, the answer is likely no.
Instead, the
motivation should come from within. The person should focus on the internal
benefits of losing weight, such as feeling good about themselves, being
healthier, and performing tasks more effectively. This intrinsic motivation is
more sustainable. Even in the absence of external validation, the person will
continue to take care of themselves because they value their health and
well-being.
The Importance of Internal Motivation
In whatever we
do in life, it is crucial to foster intrinsic desires and motivations. Doing
things for the sake of internal satisfaction rather than for materialistic
rewards or external approval leads to more sustainable and fulfilling outcomes.
For instance, a
student who studies because they are passionate about the subject and enjoy
learning is more likely to retain information and perform well, compared to a
student who studies solely to achieve good grades or avoid punishment. The
intrinsically motivated student will continue to pursue knowledge and develop
skills even when there are no external rewards at stake.
Whether it's waking up early, taking care of our health, or achieving personal goals, intrinsic motivation ensures that we stay committed and content, regardless of external circumstances. It is this internal drive that enables us to overcome obstacles, maintain our efforts over the long term, and ultimately achieve a greater sense of fulfilment and well-being. By nurturing our intrinsic motivations, we build a foundation for lasting success and happiness.
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