How can you tell if someone is motivated?
Motivation refers to the initiation, direction of intensity and
persistence of behavior (Green, 95).
Motivation means to move, deployment of energy is often evidence of motivation.
This motivation is the desire and willingness to do.
Indirect motivation-action satisfies an intermediate goal which can
lead to satisfaction of a need; money.
Direct motivation-action satisfies the need; job satisfaction.
To produce the highest level of motivation, extrinsic and intrinsic
goals need to be combined.
Extrinsic goals are:
- Reinforces that come from outside of your self.
- External rewards such as praise, money (when value is placed on money)
- Food, toys, etc. (yes many people are and do get rewarded with food)
Extrinsic motivation used to motivate employees-external rewards,
payments, promotions praise and public commendation. Of ego or
monetary gains ego is best-sense of value. For example; when you
receive a raise, the amount does not have as much impact as your
perception of the value placed on the raise, in spite of the amount.
One hundred dollars is great until you learn every one else received
one hundred and one dollars. A 25 cent raise might have greater value
if no one else received a raise. Who has the greater value perceived
by the employee from the employer?
Intrinsic goals are:
Reinforces that arrive from within the
emotional/mental state of the person. Internal payoffs are the
feelings such as satisfaction or sense of accomplishment. Intrinsic
motivation is based on enjoyment the other on obligation (what ought
to be done) evident when people engage for its own sake with out
obvious external incentives present. Theses internal feelings
generated by the action of the person can rarely get side tracked by
others lack of reinforces, having received no raise or reward for your
accomplishment. It has the greatest reinforces. Now combine that with
an external reward and watch out!
Of the goals extrinsic is a great place to start however the continued
motivation reinforces will need to be shifted to the internal to have
a consistency over time, because once the external reward is removed
so is the motivation. Internal motivation is a greater motivator for
this reason. For example; point system for children rather than a
prize orientated reward system. This point system is empowering for
children, shifts the motivation to internal.
Self theories indicate that individuals who believe intelligence is
fluid, can change over time, are more likely to not have self-esteem
tied into performance. They are more likely to try harder, worrying
less about how they look (if they look smart and competent) and more
focused on the process or trying to succeed. Learn more from effort
have greater motivation and fear failure less. They are more
motivated. If your intelligence and self worth are not tied to the
outcome you can extend effort (look motivated) towards success without
the fear killing your motivation. Fear is a motivation killer. You can
not feel fearful and motivated at the same time. You can be scared as
you take action however doing is motivating. The key is not to sit in
the fear but to take action. Will power is ineffective.
Goals and Goal setting
Clarify which type of goal helps you determine the process of
motivating yourself.
Mastery goals are gaining a new set of skills or knowledge.
Performance goals are often ego involvement, achieving normative based
standards, do better than others or do as well without a lot of
effort.
Social goals focus on relationships (Ames 92, Dweek 86, Yrdan & Macher, 95)
In context of school learning-students with mastery goals out perform
students with either performance goals or social goals. However in
life success all three types of goals are needed in order to be very
successful.
Above all, believe you can…or you can not!
Questionnaire
1. What will I lose my not doing this?
2. What will I gain by doing this?
3. Why is this important to me?
4. How is not doing this incongruent with who I am?
5. Describe how you would feel now that you have achieved this.
Use this to help motivate you….taking action.
Read inspirational books…see inspiring movies …..everyday to stay motivated.
Find others who are like-minded and cultivate those who have already
achieved a similar goal.
Take care of yourself-exercise, sleep and eat well.
