What’s Fueling Your Motivation?

Read Time: 6 minutes

Motivation is complex! 

How can something be both the source that propels us forward and the force that holds us back? The spark that ignites action and the suppressor that halts outputs? 

In this issue we’re going to help you better appreciate the multifaceted nature of motivation by diving into the science of motivation, sharing varying perspectives, and then discussing how we teach and coach motivation within our framework. 

Classifying Motivation: A Complex Landscape

Motivation is a complex landscape because it isn’t a singular entity. It’s a multifaceted force. Researchers have proposed various frameworks to categorize its different facets. Here's an outline of some key classifications we feel you should be aware of:

Direction: Approach vs Avoidance

Approach motivation: Drives us to pursue positive outcomes (e.g., rewards). Studying for a test to get a good grade (seeking reward).

Avoidance motivation: Drives us to escape negative outcomes (e.g., punishments). Limiting social interactions to avoid feelings of inadequacy (avoiding punishment).

Source: Intrinsic vs Extrinsic

Intrinsic motivation: Driven by internal values, interests, and sense of satisfaction. Reading a book for enjoyment (internal satisfaction).

Extrinsic motivation: Driven by external rewards or punishments. Completing a task for a paycheck (external reward).

Level of Regulation: Autonomous vs Controlled

Autonomous motivation: Self-driven, stemming from personal values and interests. Volunteering for a cause you care deeply about (personal value).

Controlled motivation: Driven by external pressures or regulations. Helping a neighbor with yard work because you feel obligated to (external societal pressure).

Goal Focus: Mastery vs Performance

Mastery-oriented motivation: Driven by a desire to learn, improve, and acquire new skills. Taking a challenging class to develop new skills.

Performance-oriented motivation: Driven by a desire to outperform others or achieve a specific level of competence. Working longer hours to get a higher commission than your coworker.

Temporal Focus: Long Term vs Short Term

Long-term motivation: Sustained desire to achieve distant goals. Working towards a career goal that takes years to achieve.

Short-term motivation: Drive to achieve immediate goals or complete tasks. Finishing a quick chore to feel a sense of accomplishment.

Delving Deeper: The Neuroscience of Motivation

Our brains operate with two distinct motivational systems: reactive and proactive.  

Reactive motivation, fueled by the amygdala (our threat detection center), kicks in to propel us away from negative experiences or perceived threats. This system relies heavily on dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with reward and reinforcement. 

Proactive motivation, on the other hand, emerges from the prefrontal cortex. This area is associated with planning, goal setting, and the pursuit of intrinsic rewards. 

Proactive motivation taps into a broader range of neurotransmitters, including dopamine alongside endorphins (associated with pleasure) and oxytocin (linked to social connection and purpose). This creates a more sustainable motivational cocktail.

Studies using fMRI have shown that robust white matter connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and other brain regions is linked to proactive thinking and goal achievement. 

Understanding these two systems empowers us to cultivate a more effective motivational toolkit.

24/7 Stimulus Is Changing Us

The abundance of cheap dopamine combined with instant access to a constant influx of external stimuli is changing us.

Our physiology is being biased towards reactive motivation. Continually operating in reactive mode, fueled by external forces is slowly and silently eroding our proactive motivation system. 

We refer to this process as Motivation Drift - “When we become more compelled by external forces than internal sources.”

Most of us think we lack motivation when what we really lack is clarity. 

Clarity on how motivation works, how we’re using it, and how it’s being influenced by everything we do. 

Expanding our perspective is how we fight motivation drift. We must train ourselves to clearly see the impact everything has on our motivation and fully appreciate the why behind our motivations.

Here are some science-backed strategies to help you start the process:

Craft a compelling vision. Research suggests that visualizing success and the positive emotions associated with it activates brain regions linked to proactive motivation and goal pursuit.

Identify our core motivations. By reflecting on the "why" behind our actions, we can identify if our motivations are truly aligned with our values and goals. This fosters deeper engagement and leverages the power of dopamine alongside other neurotransmitters for sustained motivation.

Recognize external pressures. Identifying the external forces influencing our behavior allows us to make conscious choices about whether they align with our purpose, values, and dreams.

By leveraging our proactive systems and appreciating our reactive systems we can harness the power of motivation science to stay the course. 

Remember, the brain is constantly adapting, so by consistently engaging with proactive motivation, you can build the neural pathways for sustained motivation and turn your dreams into reality.