5-Minute Motivation: Do You Know Your Motivation Style?

Intrinsic motivation is when you want to do something because you enjoy doing it. An example would be exercising. You want to play sport or go to the gym because you enjoy it. Losing weight or gaining fitness are welcome side effects, but they are not the main motivation for your choice. Intrinsic motivation is what makes people happy to get up in the morning and go to work every day. People who are intrinsically motivated are happy at their jobs because they find meaning and pleasure in their work.

Extrinsic motivation is doing things because you feel you need to. An example would be going to work because you have bills to pay, children to educate and a family to feed.  Extrinsic motivation is the opposite of intrinsic motivation because the motivation comes from external pressures and does not necessarily represent your desires. You might rather be out enjoying fly fishing but are extrinsically motivated to keep a roof over your head, so you go to work, albeit unwillingly, and keep the fishing trips for special occasions.

External motivators are the external factors that get you going, like the promise of a pay rise or the threat of a demotion. If you are a real people pleaser who finds it hard to say no, this could be you.

Internal motivators are the little voices inside of you that you use to get yourself going. These could be internal rewards, like a sense of achievement or internal punishments like feeling guilty. If you feel guilty if you break rules and are proud to be the person everybody can rely on, this might be your style.

If you are amotivational, you won't really focus on what you want. You'll focus on avoiding the consequences you don’t want. If you're motivated by worry that the boss or your spouse or parents will be angry with you, you could be amotivational.

If you are an autonomous person, you'll be motivated by your own desires and values regardless of the opinions of others, but if you are controlled, you'll be motivated by someone else’s desires or values, reacting to their negative feedback whatever your actual take on the situation is.

• Make sure you get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation makes you tired and less likely to perform well at work. It also affects your perspective.
• Eat properly. A balanced diet keeps you energised and helps you focus.
• Exercise regularly. Regular physical activity boosts your mood and increases your self-esteem.
• Get plenty of sunlight. Sunlight gives you vitamin D, which helps keep your immune system strong.
• Stay positive. Negative thinking drains your energy and decreases your performance.
• Have faith in yourself and value your judgements.

Extroverts

If you are motivating an extrovert, remember they are driven by social interaction. They thrive off being around people and having conversations. When they are feeling down, they often turn to friends and family for comfort.

If you're an extrovert, you should focus on finding opportunities to interact with people and should make sure to get plenty of social connections and positive conversations.

Introverts

If someone's personality type is introverted, they are driven by solitude. You must remember that they enjoy spending time alone and reading or watching movies. Introverts don't really seek out company unless they feel comfortable doing so. When it comes to motivating others, introverts should try to avoid using extrinsic motivators. 

If you're an introvert, you should focus on finding opportunities to learn and develop yourself and spend some social time with a few select like-minded people.