What motivates people?
What is intrinsic motivation? Where does it come from? Is it inborn? Is it selfish? How do you acquire it? Does it make you happy?
What is extrinsic motivation? Are external rewards beneficial or detrimental?
Google's definition:
“Intrinsic motivation is defined as the doing of an activity for its inherent satisfaction rather than for some separable consequence. When intrinsically motivated, a person is moved to act for the fun or challenge entailed rather than because of external products, pressures, or rewards.”
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs points out the different levels of human necessity, starting with the fundamental needs such as food, water, health, and safety. Once we have acquired those, each of us look to fulfill our need for belonging, self-esteem, and finally to experience self actualization- value, meaning and purpose in life- which can also be seen as intrinsic motivation. This is a widely accepted base for understanding what motivates people.
Author and spiritual thinker, Eckhart Tolle, offers a compelling argument to this conversation by speaking of our ability to tap into the ‘power that runs the universe’, or the present moment. It is impossible to predict the future, even the next millisecond, and it is more peaceful to live in the present moment and do things out of that peace.
“Through the present moment, you have access to the power of life itself, that which has traditionally been called “God”... Even belief in God is only a poor substitute for the living reality of God manifesting every moment of your life.”
“...outer purpose alone is always relative, unstable, and impermanent… you should connect [your outer purpose] to your inner, primary purpose, so that a deeper meaning flows into what you do.”
I am reminded here of the importance of Being over Doing. If I learn to be who I deeply am, then whatever I do will be aligned with my inner purpose. That will be my motivating factor. What does it look like to go through a day fully present, looking to be fully me in every moment? What can I hope for each encounter?
Another point to consider in this conversation is how both types of motivation (extrinsic/intrinsic) actually interact everyday, as a yin and yang of life. We can certainly use extrinsic motivation as a means to meet our goals and accomplish things that need doing. However, to maximize our energies, this needs to be balanced by actions that utilize intrinsic motivation factors. For example, if I spend every evening solely studying for a college class, it becomes a dry exercise, and I may find myself more drained than filled. Alternatively, I could step away from my studies for an hour to write a poem or journal for a while. Though these activities seem externally less productive, they are more likely to fill my internal reserves of energy and enhance my focus for study (and my quality of life).
My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. ~ James 3:12
Why does an apple tree bear apples or a cherry tree bear cherries? Do they do it to avoid pain? To gain pleasure? For fear of punishment? For profit? And yet they bear abundantly, more than is needed for their own reproduction. It’s just what they do. What if the same applies to humans? What if we are supposed to just be who we are? What if out of that being, everything we do matters.
Jesus talks about ‘going the second mile’. Why does he ask us to do that? What would be the motivation for doing that? It seems to be coming out of a completely different place than mainstream thinking. Jesus’ life displayed a way completely opposite to the way of popular culture. He did not align with the business model way of operating. The parables he tells do not align with a profitable approach to life. He tells of the shepherd that notices that one sheep is missing, and leaves the ninety-nine to go find it. Why care about the 1% when you still have 99? He also speaks of the prodigal son’s father who watches for his wayward son to return and rejoices when he does. Does he do that for his own profit? Jesus himself lived a radical life, dying young and leaving only 11 disciples, plus a few other followers, to show for all his efforts. Was his motivation to have a ‘profitable’ business model? Maybe He just wanted to demonstrate that a way of love is possible.
