One of the biggest problems of the business world at present is keeping the employees or the concerned parties motivated about the cause. It is the lack of motivation that results in an employee leaving the job and taking on the struggle of being an entrepreneur. Therefore, for each and every business person it is imperative to have an understanding of the puzzle of motivation so that it could be solved in the best way to ensure prosperity and success.
Motivation has been a subject of study among psychologists for about a century now. The approaches and methodologies that worked centuries ago were refused a few decades later, and the ones that were presented a few decades ago have now lost their utility and are considered futile. The lines below discuss the biggest contemporary misconceived motivation factor and the true factors that help solve the puzzle of motivation.
Misconceived Motivation Factor:
The contemporary misconception about motivation is the application of a reinforcement approach, where every achievement is to be rewarded whereas every lag in performance is to be penalized. Over the years this approach has worked, however, now researchers have started to conduct research on this approach, which has led to questioning the authenticity of this approach.
According to numerous researches conducted under numerous situations and circumstances, the extrinsic reward approach works only in mechanical types of work. Therefore, in mechanical works, setting a higher reward means higher performance. However, on the other hand, work that involves creativity does not get any help from this approach as according to scientists, setting a reward limits the scope of a person thus not letting him think outside the box. Therefore, setting greater rewards for creative work means poor performance.
This shift in the effectiveness of extrinsic motivation has caused a change in the way businesses to keep the employees motivated and the deviation from these extrinsic motivation factors is what causes the birth of an entrepreneur. Therefore, an entrepreneur is a person who nourishes and breeds motivation intrinsically.
Intrinsic Motivation:
The counter to extrinsic motivation and the solution to the contemporary puzzle of motivation is intrinsic motivation. Researchers believe that besides the limited mechanical jobs, it’s the intrinsic motivators that encourage creativity and boost the spirit of creativity and thinking out of the box among people. This creativity and thinking out of the box is what is the foundation of entrepreneurship.
According to researchers, there are three factors that combine to give intrinsic motivation. If you analyze and observe these factors closely then you will come to realize the fact that these factors are what entrepreneurs crave for in their life. The three factors of intrinsic motivation that help solve the motivation puzzle are as under:
Autonomy- The first intrinsic motivator is autonomy, which refers to control over your life. It involves the way you live, the way you dress, the time when you come to the office, the way you work and so on. Having complete control over the way you want things done to achieve a particular objective is what motivates people the most. Isn’t this what entrepreneurship is all about?
Mastery- The second intrinsic motivator is mastery that refers to the desire to be better and better. To achieve the best and keep on improving the performance standards is what mastery is concerned with the most. Isn’t an entrepreneur fond of mastery?
Purpose- Above all the one single intrinsic motivator that diminishes the importance of the rest of motivators either intrinsic or extrinsic is a purpose. Purpose refers to doing something meaningful and that is larger than the desires and wishes of a single purpose. Those who perform a job with some purpose in mind are the ones who are most motivated about it. Aren’t entrepreneurs the most purpose full beings?
Now it’s Your Turn!
Do you prefer extrinsic or intrinsic motivators? Which motivational factors keep you committed to the cause? Are you a fan of reinforcement? How do you apply it in your environment? Share your precious thoughts with us.
P.S. Want to make money online?
Well if you are talking about motivation I must say it’s really important to get motivated and work hard on our task. I’d always prefer to read blogger interview to get motivated.
Thanks
Thanks Itender!
Hello Nate,
This post absolutely is something that happens in a workplace environment with creative problem solvers. These people want rewards that are based on themselves in most cases not what someone else determines. I personally have experienced this with places I have worked in the past.
Hi Jason,
I think we all have experienced that one way or another. Thanks for sharing!
Can’t but say you’ve just bless me again with your wonderful piece. on each time i come on your blog, i find something new and inspiring, thanks Nate. Merry Xmas in advance
Thanks Asaolu!
As a teacher in this current educational climate, I feel a lot of the intrinsic motivation has been stripped away. It’s a big problem.
Great Santa Hat! Is it snowing in here? Haha..
I believe and agree that discovering your purpose is the most powerful motivator. Keeps you on track and naturally filters out activities that are not aligned with it!
Well said Greg!
Hey Nate,
I guess you can say that we are all entrepreneurs in all own right. It doesn’t matter if we’re working for someone or for ourselves, we can all fit into the three factors of motivation you mentioned here on your post.
I can definitely attest to this. In one of my previous jobs I was so limited as to what I do now in IT. You love the freedom that you have and I took it further in starting a home business. I definitely felt like more of myself when I started this and as the journey continues the more liberated I feel. And the more liberated I feel, the more motivated I get!
Hi Sherman,
Some people who do have jobs, get by to pay the bills but ultimately start their own business to fulfill their passion!
I wish I had the skills to be an entrepreneur !
You can be one if you set your mind to it and take action. 🙂
That’s a really good question Nate. I never really thought about it but I guess it would be both for me at different times. While I love the idea of autonomy, those mortgage payments are pretty good extrinsic motivators. 🙂
That would be extrinsic motivators! Lol
I think the most important part of motivation is taking the initiative and accomplishing the impossible. When others say that you can’t accomplish your goal, you just do whatever it takes to get the job done and then you will be able to achieve bigger goals. Success breeds success and action creates motivation. Nothing else to it!
Lawrence Bergfeld
Awesome Lawrence! Love it! Thank you for the comments!
Intrinsic all the way Nate. I love being free. I call on that inner feeling to motivate myself. I could mail it in tonight; Christmas night, fun but long day at my parents. Here I am networking and I have another post to write and publish now…..gotta go 😉 Great post!
Awesome! Thanks Ryan!
Wonderful post! Well I prefer extrinsic motivators for my committed motivation. It’s really important to focus on motivation because it will make consistent of work.
Thanks
Thank you for the comments!
Hey Nate,
Merry Christmas! Am I late? Hope not.
For me, I go for mastery. I would never … ever, feel I had accomplish enough in my life. Always pushing it further and doing crazy stuffs just to be one step ahead.
That’s me anyway right?
Great write and shared~
Thanks Reginald!
I like both methods, but prefer the intrinsic way because I’ve always liked to work by myself, if not for myself. I’ve been lucky in some of my last jobs where I could express independence, so it worked well for me and there were many extrinsic rewards. But now I work for myself, at home, just little ol’ me, and the intrinsic rewards are what keep me going. Thank you for the insightful post, Nate. Peace in the new year.
Thanks Jeanne! You as well!
Both methods are important. I think it depends on the person. I personally prefer the intrinsic. It’s a mindset thing. 🙂
Right on Zina! Thanks!
The Intrinsic motivational method is my kinda things as i can easily relate with my creative side and my ability to think outside the box in solving problems.
Absolutely Nwosu!
Great read Nate!
I am definitely intrinsically motivated.
Having autonomy and my why (purpose) are what keep moving forward. Every. Single. Day!
Right on Matt!
Nice post 🙂 Definitely useful for me as I work with new personal training clients in 2014.
Make it happen next year Catherine!
I once seen a study on motivation and they found that money did not have the intended effect on motivation that employers think it does.
It’s usually the case! Thanks Erik!
I guess it will all depend upon the kind of objective you are trying to achieve. I agree that some job types can enjoy the extrinsic motivations but creativity can’t be forced out.
Through the comment section of your post, it appears that bloggers demand intrinsic factors 🙂
Thanks Nate for the discussion. Got to learn something goood.
Glad you learned something! Thanks for the comments!
I find monetary rewards to work up to a certain point. You can’t completely ignore monetary rewards, but your can’t solely rely on them either.
For intrinsic rewards, you have to be more selective and tailor the rewards to the individual. Depending on their personality type.
There has to be a balance like you said Scott. Thanks for the comments!
Thanks for sharing! I prefer intrinsic motivation.
Awesome!
Thanks for sharing this one, Nate! I am definitely intrinsically motivated! I have to have a purpose that matters in order to be motivated.
Awesome. Vision comes from purpose!
I really enjoyed the video, intrinsic motivation works for me.. 🙂
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it!
hi nate. this post made me remember of my freelance writing work wherein one of my assignments is about extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. based on my research, the sense of autonomy is the number one motivation that creative people has. this is why Pixar and Apple employs an organizational structure that discourages bureaucracy and encourages autonomy and minimal supervision
Very cool Marilyn! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve forward this post on to my friend who is working in Lyoness.
Thanks Fred!
Nate, you’re just giving out one of the best motivating tips so far this year, Thanks and i hope you keep up the good works.
I really appreciate it.
Appreciate the kind words my friend. 🙂
Motivation is certainly a factor and to be honest its important that the motivation of not only yourself but your employees are kept for for the business to grow.
Motivation is certainly a factor and to be honest its important that the motivation of not only yourself but your employees are kept for the business to grow.
You need to treat your employees with respect if they are part of your business plan. Thanks Shalu!
Hello Nate,
Thanks a lot for writing such an awesome post at the year end. Really needed this stuff.
Thanks
You’re welcome Mosam!
Motivation!? Thanks for this post. It is so timely with the new year and all. We must remember to motivate ourselves to achieve our goals. Thank you for this post
I gone through the complete post and I must say you have nailed it hard, amazing post my friend, I liked it.