Which Type of Motivation Is Right for You?

While many things in life can motivate us, there are moments when we lack the will to accomplish anything. When this happens, we begin to falter and fail.

We want to make it clear to those who struggle with motivation that in order to find the most effective technique to stay motivated, they must not only concentrate on the concept of motivation but also on their own unique motivational style. Knowing the right motivational style for you is the key to permanent motivation.

Why is it crucial to understand which motivational strategies suit you?

In this article, we’ll discuss motivational strategies, but first, let's explain why it matters so much to know which techniques work best for you. Here are some benefits and reasons to know:

1. It modifies our behavior

The motivations you employ will have an impact on the way you think. In the long run, one approach may discourage you, but another may provide you with profound personal fulfillment and propel you ahead.

2. It provides a deep sense of satisfaction

Your motivational style will encourage you to set the most important goals for you, which will make you feel inspired to achieve them and give you a sense of fulfillment.

3. It develops our interests

Without motivation, it is impossible to devote time to the things that are important to you. On the other hand, with the right motivation, you can become fully engaged in what you are doing and enhance your interest in it.

4. It promotes qualities that serve you

The foundation of goals is building habits. You acquire certain traits when you have the motivation to look for them; these traits will benefit you in certain circumstances and serve you in others.

Knowing the right motivation techniques gives you a better sense of inner awareness, and you'll be able to identify problems, find the motivation to deal with them and keep going.

Do you know which motivation style is right for you?

You may have several motivational styles that suit you, and by having them, you can use motivation from several sources to reinforce habits.

A proper assessment of your technique in motivation can help you discover your motivational style. By assessing this motivational style, you will get a clear idea of what suits you and will learn how to take advantage of it to stay motivated. The assessment will also provide a detailed analysis of all motivational techniques and help you identify the primary and secondary ones that serve you best.

Now let's dive into each of the motivational techniques.

Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation

It is critical to recognize and comprehend the two primary categories of motivations: intrinsic and extrinsic. Understanding these two will help you know when to use one instead of the other.

Extrinsic motivation comes from things happening around you, for example, videos on YouTube, motivational speakers, posters, or articles that inspire you; anything external that motivates you is an extrinsic motivation.

Conversely, intrinsic motivation is the opposite and is thought to be the best because it comes from inside you. One of the essential examples of intrinsic motivation is having a specific reason or attitude towards your goals.

Regardless of which motivation is superior, both are significant, and there are particular circumstances where the advantages and disadvantages of these two approaches can be shown.

The Eight Motivation Styles

These motivational styles fall into the two main types of motivation.

Intrinsic motivation includes

1. Physiological motivation

This motivational style happens in a way that is beyond our control. It is essential; we cannot ignore it, no matter how hard we try. It is also related to the prevailing conditions and probably includes your basic needs.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory illustrates this, especially at your workplace. According to the theory, we all have a potent desire to satisfy our basic needs, like food and shelter, and our more complex psychological and self-actualization-related needs. This kind of motivation is what drives us all in the first place.

2. Achievement-related motivation

This kind of motivation comes from completing a task or goal itself. It doesn't necessarily follow that rewards are the only source of motivation; rather, you can find motivation by enjoying the process, following specific steps, and making little or significant life progress.

A case in point is weight loss. The person who is motivated by achievement is the one who gets excited when they see their weight drop on the scale. Even if they don't reach the target weight, the thought of dropping pounds is motivating in and of itself.

3. Attitude Motivation

Attitude motivation is another type of intrinsic motivation that arises from the desire to alter one's own and other people's thoughts and emotions. Individuals driven by this kind of motivation are excellent at encouraging those around them with their words and deeds and engaging in activities that uplift or cheer others up.

Motivational speakers are one example of this, since their motivation comes from within. This affirmative and joyful feeling motivates them to get on stage, film videos, and provide motivational content in the first place.

4. Motivation associated with competence and learning

Also called the motivation to learn, it focuses more on the process than the reward. Think of it as achievement-related motivation, but all that matters is the process and learning, as this type of motivation is about improving and creating motivation by making progress toward accomplishing goals or tasks.

That is the most valuable intrinsic motivation method available; it is the kind you will experience when you work toward any task or goal in your life, and every step forward will encourage you; it is similar to thinking about losing weight while standing on the scale, as we previously discussed.

Extrinsic motivation includes

1. Motivation Associated with Encouragement

When it comes to extrinsic motivation, the most prominent technique is encouragement, which means that you find motivation in the results or rewards you get, not in the process or achievement of the goal or task.

Examples include registering to participate in a marathon; because you want to win, you will train hard every day so you have more chances to win; and another example is studying for a test to get the highest grade in class.

2. Fear-Related Motivation

It is to find motivation by pushing yourself towards feeling afraid or facing an uncomfortable situation. Due to this, the external influence will be negative, but it is effective. For example, you will find the ability to work extra hours because fear of not being able to afford your bills will make you feel uncomfortable, and it can also induce fear of not being able to pay to motivate you to move forward.

Fear can also push you to act positively. For example, let's say that your family has a hereditary heart disease. This fact can lead you to exercise frequently and maintain your physical health.

3. Power-related motivation

People motivated by power are driven by their desire to control their lives and even the lives of others. Everyone wants to be able to make decisions, and if you are granted more options, you will discover that this drive manifests itself in your life.

Examples include choosing the type of major or profession you want to pursue, as this provides effective motivation because it requires you to be intentional with your thoughts and actions and allows you to achieve the life you want to live.

4. Motivation related to belonging and community

The last type of motivation is the one related to belonging and society; this type is basically within us. It stems from our desire to communicate and contribute within social groups. When you think deeply about this, you will find that motivation is related to your willingness to accept and belong to specific groups.

Conclusion

This article offered you the necessary information to learn about what types of motivation are best for you. When you realize what motivates you, you will be able to control your life, and you will be able to change yourself for the better and progress through this change.

In addition, you will have a deep sense of satisfaction, determine what matters to you, and eventually develop habits that help you grow.