Motivation is the driving force that pushes us to strive toward a goal that excites us, no matter the challenges we face to achieve it. When we feel motivated, completing our daily tasks becomes much easier; however, when we face exhaustion or obstacles arise, maintaining that consistency becomes more difficult. In this post, we’ll talk precisely about this — what to do when motivation drops, how to revive it, and we’ll also explore the four main theories of motivation.
Keep reading if you also want to find that extra boost of motivation for your day-to-day life!
Motivation can be described as the spark that triggers a series of actions aimed at achieving a deeply desired goal. It’s that force that drives us to keep going during difficult moments and helps us get back on track — even when that’s not easy. Depending on how complex our goals are, motivation can vary, even to the point where we might abandon them altogether.
What can we do when motivation disappears? Can we regain that spark? The answer is yes — but first, it’s important to understand the four main theories of motivation developed by psychology experts.
There are many types of motivation, but Maslow laid the foundation for all of them. You probably already know his famous pyramid, so we won’t go into too much detail, but it’s a psychological theory that describes human needs hierarchically — from basic needs like food and shelter to self-actualization — highlighting the progression toward personal fulfillment.
To give you some context, Frederick Herzberg was a psychologist and management theorist known for his research on motivation in the workplace. His theory, known as the Motivation-Hygiene Theory or Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, originated from a study on job satisfaction and was published in his 1959 book The Motivation to Work.
According to this psychologist, to be happy at work, two key factors must be considered: motivational factors and hygiene factors.
Motivational factors: these relate to the content of the work itself, such as recognition, personal achievement, responsibility, and opportunities for growth and development.
Hygiene factors: these refer to external aspects of work, such as working conditions, salary, supervision, company policies, and interpersonal relationships. Herzberg argued that while these factors can prevent dissatisfaction, they don’t generate motivation on their own. Their absence causes discomfort, but their presence doesn’t necessarily lead to satisfaction.
This renowned psychologist and MIT professor proposed two contrasting theories about human nature in the workplace, known as Theory X and Theory Y. While Theory X presents a pessimistic and traditional view of employees — seeing them as inherently lazy, avoiding responsibility, and preferring to be directed and controlled — Theory Y takes a more optimistic and progressive perspective on human behavior.
McGregor believed that people are naturally proactive and seek growth and development. In short, he argued that well-organized and well-managed work can be a source of satisfaction, where employees can contribute innovative ideas if given the opportunity.
David McClelland was an American psychologist recognized for his research in personality and motivational psychology. During his career, McClelland developed the Achievement Motivation Theory, also known as the Theory of Needs.
According to this theory, individuals have three basic needs: the need for achievement (nAch), the need for affiliation (nAff), and the need for power (nPow) — though he primarily focused on achievement. According to McClelland, people constantly seek to excel, achieve challenging goals, and succeed in their endeavors — which keeps motivation alive and drives us to keep striving toward our objectives.
All of these theoretical approaches agree that maintaining motivation requires constructive feedback, setting challenging goals, and providing rewards based on performance. Because we are social beings, there will always be someone or something that inspires us to grow — the key is choosing the right influence.
And you? What do you think about motivation and its sources? What’s yours?
We hope this post has helped you better understand how motivation works and how to sustain it. Don’t forget to keep reading the Educa.Pro blog for more content on professional development and personal growth!
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