Motivation

Have you ever wondered what keeps you waking up and completing tasks every day🤔? It is because there are different needs that we wanted to fulfill therefore causing you to carry out that behaviour or action. In other words, the needs and desires are what motivate you to act.

⎼Types of Motivation⎼

There are two types of motivation - intrinsic & extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation is the “inside” internal force that “pushes” you to act or behave. For example, you study because you are hungry for knowledge. Whereas, extrinsic motivation is the external environmental factors that “pull” you to act or behave such as monetary rewards. For instance, you study hard because you want to achieve good grades.

There are several theories of motivation, but today we will cover two main theories:

⎼Theories of Motivation⎼

🔹Maslow’s Hierarchy Needs🔹

Maslow (1954) suggested five stages of basic needs and growth needs for all individuals to survive and thrive. The stages from the lowest to highest are physiological needs, safety needs, belongingness and love needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs respectively. 

1. Physiological Needs:- Basic survival needs such as food, water, shelter
2. Safety Needs:- The need to feel safe and secured in the environment 
3. Belongingness & Love Needs:- The need to feel loved and appreciated by friends or family
4. Esteem Needs:- The need to feel respected and being a human being
5. Self-actualization Needs:- The need to achieve self-fulfillment, becoming the best self, and achieve the most in all aspects such as financial, relationships, career, etc

Each individual may pursue different needs at different levels simultaneously. For example, you eat (to fulfill physiological needs) while socializing with friends/family (love and belonging needs).

🔹Self-Determination Theory🔹

Another theory of motivation is known as Self-Determination Theory (SDT). SDT posits that our behaviour and/or actions are driven as well as motivated by the need for personal growth. It emphasized the development of one's intrinsic motivation. To develop intrinsic motivation and achieve self-fulfillment, one needs to fulfill the three basic needs - autonomy, relatedness, and competence.

Three basic needs in Self-Determination Theory

• Autonomy:- the need to feel independent and in control of one's own actions. 
• Competence:-the need to perceive oneself as capable of acquiring new skills and experiences
• Relatedness:- the sense of belonging and being attached to a social group. 

SDT also suggested the importance of developing a sense of self to one’s psychological growth and well-being. When you are self-determined, have the autonomy to make your own choices, and achieve your goals within your ability, you will feel motivated and happier in life.

⎼Importance of Motivation⎼

It is important for us to understand and achieve an optimal level of motivation in life. This is because motivation is what gives you purpose or goals. It keeps you going forward not backward. It also builds your self-esteem and self-confidence. Last but not least, it helps you to achieve your life goals and dreams. In contrast, without motivation, you may be lost of direction in your life such as unclear about what you want to achieve in life. You will also become demotivated to carry out any task hence decreasing your sense of continuing living. 

As quoted by Zig Ziglar: "People often say that motivation does not last. Well, neither does bathing ⎼ that's why we recommend it daily." 

This quote suggested that motivation is like showering, it is a daily task. Imagine motivation as fuel and you are the car. The car needs fuel to move. So are us. We need the motivation to continue our lives. For instance, if you do not have the desire or need to fulfill your basic survival needs such as eating. You probably would not take any meals. Likewise, if you have the desire and you want to meet your survival needs such as eating. As a result, you will have food intake at the appropriate time in the day. 

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In conclusion, motivation is the driving force that keeps us moving forward in life. It needs to be constantly activated in case it runs out 💪🏻😉. We hope that you are always motivated to achieve more in life! 

References:

1. Self-Determination Theory | Simply Psychology
2. Motivation and What Really Drives Human Behavior (positivepsychology.com)
3. What Is Motivation? A Simple Explanation (motivationping.com)
4. 5 Reasons Why Motivation Is Important For You Now | THELIFESYNTHESIS