Intrinsic Vs. Extrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic motivation is the seed, and extrinsic motivation is the soil.
As humans, its natural for us to optimistically believe that we can change our environment. This optimism often motivates us to take steps in changing our environment, which has been imperative to our survival. For example, creating heaters to survive comfortable in very cold, or inventing AC to survive in very hot environments. Though this is one of our human strengths, it can also be a weakness. Often times, we optimistically believe that it is possible to change the people around us. It's easy to believe that we can help our partner, friends, or teammates better themselves. Under the assumption that you do in fact know that some sort of change could help someone, none of it matters without understanding the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
Intrinsic Motivations Qualities:
- The source comes from within (self motivated)
- Motivated by personal growth
- Passion
- Mastery
- Meaning
Extrinsic Motivation Qualities:
- Source comes from the outside (externally motivated)
- Comes from money, recognition, and praise
- Avoid being perceived negatively
- Inspiration from others
The difficult part of trying to encourage others to grow is that you have little to no influence over their intrinsic motivation. And intrinsic motivation is infinitely more important than than extrinsic motivation. But extrinsic motivation still has a place.
I view intrinsic motivation as the seed, and extrinsic motivation as the fertilizer. Consider these 3 scenarios:
- If a seed is present, it can grow without the support of fertilizer.
- If a seed is not present, then no matter how much fertilizer you pour, there will be no growth.
- If a seed is present, and it receives fertilizer, then it has a high likelihood growing and flourishing.
The best (and only) thing that you can do is find out what is intrinsically motivating to others, and choose whether you want to supportively engage or disengage with their motivations and values. Let others develop their own seed, and if you have the drive and opportunity to fertilize it, then move forward.
