In life, it is very important to motivate yourself and other people. The effectiveness of educational or professional activities generally depends on this. In order to encourage correctly, you need to know what external, internal motivation is, the features of their formation.
Definition of concepts
Extrinsic motivation is the inducement to activity through external forces. That is, a person perceives the reasons for his behavior as imposed, and considers himself just a pawn. Such motivation is regulated by external material and psychological conditions: money, rewards and even punishment. Motivation for action is built on the incentives that flow from the current situation.
Intrinsic motivation is due to the needs for competence and personal choice, which are leading for the human "I". With this type of motivation, people understand that they are the true cause of what is being done, and perceive themselves as an effective agent when interacting with the environment. That is, in the case of intrinsic motivation, needs, interests,intentions, goals, desires, self-confidence, the possibility of self-realization, a sense of job satisfaction.
Let's consider each type of motivation separately.
Extrinsic motivation
Employees were promised a bonus, they started working faster. Fines and rules were established, people began to focus on them, whether they like it or not. A sudden thundercloud makes you run home faster. The criminal pointed a gun at you and demanded money - you will immediately hand over your wallet.
These are all examples of extrinsic motivation. As already mentioned, it prompts action through circumstances or incentives. In another way, we can say that these are achievements in the surrounding society. Of course, intrinsic motivation of activity is much more effective. However, this kind of impact on individuals is better.
So, what methods are suitable as external motivation? Career growth, big salary, prestigious things (apartment, house, car), status, ability to travel, recognition.
Extrinsic motivation can change all the time. Yesterday it was necessary to earn money to feed the family, and tomorrow the money will be needed for a new apartment, a car or the education of children. The most obvious and classic example of such motivation is the tale of the goldfish and the fisherman.
Intrinsic motivation
A small child is constantly trying or exploring something. It is really important and interesting for him. A person does not work for a salary, but because of what he loves. These are examples of internalmotivation. As already mentioned, it does not depend on external factors and the environment. The very content of the activity encourages a person to do it.
What can be used as intrinsic motivation? The possibility of personal growth, a sense of need, self-affirmation, the implementation of ideas, creativity, the need for communication, the fulfillment of a dream.
The internal motivation of an employee is when he considers his work as a paid hobby. Perhaps, if not all, then many people would like to strive for this.
It is much more efficient to use both types of motivation. The main thing is to maintain balance and balance between them.
How motivation factors work
In fact, all motivational factors can be reduced to two ideas:
- Have fun. These are positive factors.
- Get rid of the unpleasant. These are already negative factors.
All of them can be both external and internal. The simultaneous presence of positive and negative factors favorably affects the action. It turns out a very powerful push, a kind of push-pull. On the one hand, a person wants to receive a reward, and on the other hand, he avoids punishment.
External and internal motivation, positive and negative factors act in different ways, in different directions and always lead to different results. Of course, people are affected by all types of exposure to some degree. However, it can be seen that each person still prefers onedirection. One needs to be constantly driven, intimidated, and the other is enough to promise a reward.
For clarity, below is a table that can be used to motivate employees.
Ratio of factors and types of motivation
| External motivation factors | Factors of intrinsic motivation | |
| Negative motivation |
Salary reduction; reprimand; demotion; non-recognition; disease; threat to he alth or life. |
Unrealized; lack of communication; feeling humiliated; feeling insecure; lack of he alth. |
| Positive motivation |
Money; prestigious things; status; career; travel opportunities; worthy aesthetics of everyday life; recognition. |
Self-realization, dream; creativity, ideas; personal growth; feeling needed; need for communication; self-affirmation; belief in action; curiosity; he alth. |
An example of applying knowledge about motivation
This story will tell and clearly show how extrinsic and intrinsic motivation works.
Under the windows of an elderly woman, a company gathered every eveningchildren who played and talked very noisily. Naturally, the old woman did not like this, but her requests and persuasion to spend her leisure time in another place did not help. Then she decided to change the situation in a different way.
Every day a woman gave the children fifty rubles for the fact that they play very well near her house. Of course, the guys liked this alignment! The old woman began to gradually reduce this amount. And at one fine moment, when it seemed to the children that they were cheap, they simply refused to play under her windows and did not appear there anymore.
This is how the woman solved the situation in such a cunning way. The internal motivation of children (their own desire to play under the windows) was transferred to the external one (to do it for money), but then it also disappeared.
Motivating others
People who are motivated by aspiration to the top do not pay attention to comfort. They are driven by the pursuit of personal interests and the goals of the organization. Employees driven by punishment will not do things that deprive them of their comfort zone.
It is very important to take into account external positive factors. These are money, reliability, conditions and safety. Internal positive factors play an equally important role. These are achievements, growth, empowerment, recognition and responsibility. Only the right combination of these factors will give job satisfaction. In their absence, work becomes hateful and unbearable. In this regard, the motivation of students or schoolchildren is no different. It is important that internal learning motivation prevails.
Signsmotivating environment
When organizing any activity, it is important to consider several requirements. They are simply necessary to meet the needs and form the right motivation:
- Activities should be creative and varied.
- Opportunity to progress through assignments.
- Feeling of belonging and recognition from the group.
- The right to make decisions independently within their competence.
- Feeling of support and help.
- Presence of external attributes of success: praise, encouragement, compliment.
- Meaningful action required.
- The opportunity to express your own opinion, which will be taken into account.
- Availability and timeliness of information received.
- Feedback after work done.
If all these signs (or at least most) are present in the organization of activities, then we can assume that the formation of intrinsic motivation will be successful.
Self-motivation is the engine of progress
For a meaningful movement, it is important to know where and where to go, as well as to have a great desire. That is, self-motivation is necessary. How to achieve it? Follow the techniques and rules listed below:
- Set only achievable goals. Only in this way will there be a desire to achieve them.
- Break big goals into small tasks.
- Keep an achievement diary.
- Constantly reward yourself with rewards for completed tasks.
- Try to use as little criticism as possible.
- Look for like-minded people in your business.
- Try to compete with others and become the best.
- Surround yourself with positive and driven people.
- Read books and watch movies that motivate you.
Try to implement, if not all, then at least a few points, and you will definitely have a desire to get down to business! Remember that it is important to use positive and negative factors, internal and external motivation in the balance in order to achieve a good result.
