Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Intrinsic motivation

Billions of trees have died to produce numerous books on motivation...there are hundreds of them and cover a range of approaches and theories.

The next few posts will be about various theories that might be helpful and of use.
As with anything to do with coaching there isn't a 'one size' fits all approach... pick the parts that work for you.

So where to start?

Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic motivation comes from within.
Have you ever played a game all night long even though you knew you had to be in school/work the next day? Or have you just been itching to get home to see if that must have gadget or game has arrived from amazon?

When we enjoy something the task itself becomes it's own reward.

Think of the things you love – perhaps computer games, playing an instrument, cooking, art…
I bet you never willingly put these things off - in fact I bet you make excuses to do these rather than other less enjoyable things?
You never procrastinate over doing things you enjoy.

So the trick to getting things done can be filling your to-do list with as many tasks on it as possible which are things you love. They might be hard, or you might feel a little resistance to getting started – but once you’re doing them, you find them fun.

When you’re engaged on something which makes you intrinsically motivated, you’ll find that:

  • It’s easy to maintain your focus
  • You give it your best effort
  • You do it for the love of doing it not for any reward or money

There is a note of caution...your intrinsic motivation can be subject to your moods
When you’re feeling happy and and upbeat you enjoy life and enjoy getting stuff done... but when you're down anything can be a struggle.

Then there are the tasks that will never be fun....

...and here we have extrinsic motivation to help.

39 comments:

  1. Reading this reminded me of that one scene in Mary Poppins when they're all making a game outta tidying up their bedroom.

    Spoon full o' sugar makes the medicine go down!

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  2. that's really cool! I just stopped by to show my support :D

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  3. Well it's nice to know I have the ability to motivate myself. Now to transfer my love of computer games to making money...

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  4. pretty soon books will be extinct due to electronics

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  5. Really looking forward to the next post, will but this intrinsic stuff in perspective.

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  6. good post dude. Really made me think :o

    and sorry for the advertising :( but please, if you have time, check out my blog on NBA and other stuff. :) I'd love to get new readers.
    www.sesamburger.blogspot.com

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  7. that it's true, if you are happy with your work, it's not even hard.

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  8. i remember feeling like that when i was in school, couldn't wait to get home and play videogames all day lol

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  9. I definitely need motivation haha i'm such a lazy ass

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  10. Self motivation is the new anti-drug.

    Followed.

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  11. I felt as if this post was directed straight to me. I've been playing a bit too much Red Dead Redemption the past few days (and nights). And it's true, it also shifts depending on mood. I need a change.

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  12. Thanks for reminding me how important intrinsic motivation is... :)

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  13. Wish I had intrinsic motivation for organic chem....

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  14. Thanks for helping me motivate myself =)

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  15. Useful ideas. Its great to see your blog doing so well!

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  16. All self help books should be online, to save paper =] They covered a similar issue in Family Guy recently actually xD

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  17. Awesome post. Good info here.

    Following

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  18. Totally unlike the other motivational BS i've read..
    Real.Practical.Useful advice.

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  19. I would say I was intrinsically motivated :) Great post! Thanks for sharing!

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  20. nice one. this is why I like wasting time on the internet compared to doing other stuff

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  21. I always keep a list of things I need to do in my back pocket, each time I complete one, I tick a task off. It's like getting Xbox360 achievements in real life!

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  22. Hello lovely :)!

    thanks so much for your comment :)!

    Wish you a great WEEEEEEEEEEEEEKEND :)

    with love
    Mariza
    http://mar-iza.blogspot.com

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  23. Good advice, but how do I make doing the dishes fun? I guess that just falls under the category of things that will never be fun.

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  24. I added a link to my blog post about sleeping habits of gamers.

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  25. yeah... I lack of motivation as well...

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  26. Well said! :) Thank you for visiting my site!

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  27. I want to improve on this, but I lack the motivation. nyuk nyuk

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  28. This is really great information

    cool blog

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