The Psychology Behind Motivation: What Drives Us?

As the year progresses, many yearn to leave a series of unfortunate events behind. The truth is, that boat has sailed, and a new one is about to arrive at your dock. Will you let determination sink to the bottom of the sea or put up sails to move forward? It is crucial to learn how your mind works to keep those sails up.

A basic step to understanding your motivational triggers is ranking your needs and wants. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs shows you how to do just that. This theory suggests that to move forward, you must first fulfill the bottom of this hierarchy: Physiological needs. As one progresses with monumental tasks such as sleeping or eating, the waters of your mind calm. However, Immediate completion soon becomes increasingly difficult as you move up because “Higher needs become increasingly psychological and long-term rather than physiological and short-term, as in the lower survival-related needs” (Simply Psychology).

We all know that self-actualization, self-esteem, and belonging are long-term goals that require constant development to achieve. You are not going to get there by staying put. The wind that moves your sail can be placed into two categories: Intrinsic and extrinsic. 

Extrinsic motivation lies in external factors. It can be the reward you envision while working on a project, the desire to avoid an extrinsically negative result, or the wish to inspire and become a role model for others. This type of inspiration entails an after-effect inflicted on them by their surroundings. Direct rewards are more likely to stem engagement in the future, speeding up the motivation continuum (National Library of Medicine).  

Intrinsic consists of challenge, curiosity, control, and context. It lies within your satisfaction, the innate feeling to stay in control. This could be the urge to master Karate to feel accomplished or the yearning to feel like you have control of your life and a sense of stability (Simply Psychology). Because, in this case, you deal a lot with internal values and concerns, the absence of external pressure fuels drive (Positive Psychology). Think of it like a Trojan battle inside your head. The Trojan prince is the external factor stealing your precious wife, Helena, or your internal ambition.

After you recognize the things that propel you, troubleshooting strategies for productivity are important. The “First step to facilitating behavior change is to diagnose the source of the difficulty” (National Library of Medicine). If the barrier blocking you from taking the first step is related to your environment, change it! If you have trouble with organization, set dates for yourself. Tailor your methods to what suits you best: What makes your boat sail? Regardless of your approach, perhaps the most important thing to remember is your “why.” Why are you moving towards a goal that is “too far away?”

Abby Kim (10), a student at Yorba Linda High School, shares what keeps her going: “I want to be a doctor in the future, so I focus on my studies. Even though it is very tempting to get sidetracked or give up, I know there are people out there that I can help and truly impact. I hope that all of the experiences I gain will mold me into a better person who is more equipped to make a difference.”  

Staying motivated is the key to success in your personal, academic, or professional life. Nonetheless, motivation is one thing and action is another. You will always need to map out Destiny Island, or you will get lost at sea.