Balancing Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation
The difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
Intrinsic motivation is behaviour powered by what is important to you, such as your values system and what’s meaningful to you.
This contrasts with extrinsic motivation, which is behaviour motivated by external rewards, such as awards, public recognition, money, social status, job promotions, social media attention, and validation by others.
If we are motivated solely by extrinsic factors, we risk creating a life that feels meaningless or confusing. When we receive external rewards based on behaviour that is misaligned with our values system, we can feel disconnected from our internal truth.
By knowing what’s personally meaningful to you, it becomes easier to take action from a place that feels good and aligned.
Both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation can be helpful to us if we start and return to a place of knowing ourselves. A balanced and introspective life will allow our intrinsic and extrinsic motivators to be aligned.
When we receive external rewards based on behaviour that’s aligned with our values system, we can feel connected, nourished, and appreciated. We can stay open to receiving support that is in our best interest. We can access tools to track and measure our progress while keeping a healthy sense of enthusiasm.
In an intrinsically-led life, there will be times when external rewards do not arrive. We can still find motivation from our internal reserve of meaning and keep going, driven by a larger sense of purpose.
Want to reflect on what’s important to you?
Download INTRINSIC — a 3-page PDF containing insights and questions to support you in reflecting on your values and what's meaningful to you. Get your free download here →
You may also enjoy …
