Motivation is that drive that spurs us on to strive for a goal that excites us, no matter how hard it is to achieve. When we’re motivated, working every day becomes easier; conversely, when tiredness sets in and obstacles appear along the way, it’s harder to stay consistent. In this post, we’ll discuss the different types of motivation, which ones we should pursue and how to maintain them.
Keep reading if you too need that extra bit of energy for your day-to-day life!
What is motivation?
We could define motivation as the catalyst that sets a series of actions in motion and which lead to the achievement of a goal we desire very strongly. Motivation is the force that drives us forward in the difficult times and which forces us to get back on track when we stray, but this isn’t always easy. Depending on how complex our goals are, our motivation can fluctuate, even causing us to give up.
What should you do when you lose your motivation? Can that sense of excitement be rekindled? The answer is yes, but first, we need to understand how different types of motivation work and how to identify them.
What are the different types of motivation?
Motivation does not always come from the same source, and depending on where it comes from, we will be talking about one type of motivation or another.
Firstly, when it comes to the concept of motivation, it can be divided into two broad categories: the extrinsic motivation and the intrinsic motivation. The first stems from external factors, such as rewards. The second stems from factors within each individual, such as the desire to better oneself or to grow personally. Both are equally valid, but intrinsic motivation feels more satisfying and is more long-lasting.
We’ll look at the other types of motivation in detail below – stick with us and start working on the one that best suits your personality.
Positive motivation
Positive motivation begins as a result of a person’s own initiative and is sustained by the rewarding outcome (whether internal or external) that the action they carry out brings them.
Negative motivation
It refers to the process by which a person takes the initiative to act in order to prevent something negative from happening. This may be to avoid punishment inflicted by an external agent, or to avoid feelings of frustration, fear or sadness.
Basic motivation
This type of motivation is rooted in a strong sense of commitment – such as that which an athlete might feel towards their performance, or a sportsman or woman towards their team. It arises when an action directly triggers a reaction.
Daily motivation
Let’s say that day-to-day motivation is the most productive and the one that can make us feel best in our day-to-day lives. It involves feeling that we’re overcoming new, small challenges every day, which keeps us active and alert.
Ego-centred motivation
It arises when we compare ourselves with others and want to be the best in any field. Competitiveness isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as long as we know how to manage it and it doesn’t end up affecting our mental health or restricting the freedom of others.
Task-centred guidance
This kind of motivation also stems from a desire to better oneself, seeking to make progress in a particular field and achieve new milestones.
Tips to keep you motivated: first and foremost, don’t give up
If you’re tired, learn to rest, not to give up.
I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase more than once, and although it’s almost become a mantra, there’s a lot of truth behind it. Sometimes, we think that motivation comes out of nowhere and will be there forever, and – mistakenly – when it disappears, we tend to think that our goal wasn’t really worth the effort. Well, this is simply a form of self-delusion that will only lead us to give up and to fail time and time again.
It’s normal to experience peaks in motivation, days when you’re feeling tired, periods when other problems get you down, and so on. It’s also normal for motivation to wane, but when this happens, you should bear two things in mind: how far you’ve come so far, and the reward.
When motivation is lacking, let duty prevail.
This is another key phrase you can repeat to yourself whenever you’re tempted to give up. If you want to achieve a goal, you won’t always be able to find the motivation to push yourself, but you can draw on discipline and willpower. You’ll see how good you feel when you’ve done your bit!
But, as well as phrases, we’ve also got some very useful tips for you, such as these:
- Set clear goals: Set specific and achievable objectives. Break your goals down into smaller, achievable steps to maintain a sense of progress and achievement as you move forward.
- Find your purpose: Connect your daily actions and efforts to a greater purpose. Reflect on what you’re truly passionate about and how your actions bring you closer to that vision.
- Surround yourself with inspiring people: Seek out the company of people who inspire and encourage you. The support and positive energy of others can be a powerful source of motivation.
- Celebrate your achievements: recognise and celebrate your successes, even the smallest ones. Rewarding yourself for your efforts helps you stay motivated and boosts your self-esteem.
- Practise self-motivation every day: find ways to stay motivated during difficult times. You could read inspiring books, do personalised online courses, listening to motivational talks, visualising your goals or reminding yourself of the benefits of achieving your objectives.
We hope this post has helped you gain a better understanding of how motivation works. Be sure to check out our other posts for more content on professional development and self-improvement!
