From employers to school systems and beyond, many are giving incentives to help improve performance, to lose weight and just to do better.  Does this really work as far as motivation?

Let’s look at both extrinsic (external) versus intrinsic (internal) forms of motivation.  One is based on how we feel inside when we do something.  It’s more of a joy of purpose in simply doing that act.  While the other is based on a reward or approval.  You can differentiate between the two, just from what was said.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrkrvAUbU9Y]

It seems to have gotten harder for people to self-motivate and hence, external motivations play a greater role to get people to take action.  The only problem with things like rewards is that they will become diluted over time.  And it will take ever-increasing rewards to get each person to do the same actions.  Many studies, such as the Ryan and Deci (2000) study, has shown that this operant type of  motivation (via B.F. Skinner) is ineffective in the long run.  That includes punishment to stop someone from doing something.

The greater focus should be on combining an external motivation with an internal one.  Goal-setting is one such example.  The sense of purpose with a target that will help satisfy that purpose will lead to purposeful action.  And that is sustainable.   The person will see value for himself or herself when the goal is accomplished.

Any external motivation is always better when it’s congruent with ones values and beliefs.  If you want to get motivated or to get someone else motivated, then make sure that it is aligned with their deepest beliefs and values…  Find their “reason why” they would want to do something.  And they help them to take action towards it.

That is true motivation!