Self-motivation is one of the most powerful skills you can develop, but it can be tough to stay motivated when you’re overwhelmed by external pressures.
Whether it’s pushing through a tough assignment or staying focused on long-term goals, your motivation is the driving force behind your success. But not all motivation is the same.
Some of it comes from within — your personal goals and passions — while some comes from external factors like rewards or recognition.
In this article, we’ll explore the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and how each can impact your learning.
Understanding intrinsic motivation
Intrinsic motivation comes from within.
It’s driven by your personal goals, interests, and passions—what excites and energizes you naturally.
When you’re intrinsically motivated, you engage in activities because you find them fulfilling or enjoyable, not because of external rewards like grades or recognition.
This type of motivation leads to a deeper and more lasting engagement with the task at hand.
Research shows that people who are intrinsically motivated tend to put in more effort, persist through challenges, and learn more effectively.
Why?
Because their desire to succeed comes from a genuine interest in the subject.
For example, if you’re passionate about learning to code because you love problem-solving, you’re more likely to spend extra hours practicing without even realizing it.
Here are some examples of intrinsic motivation:
- You want to improve your writing because it allows you to express yourself creatively.
- You love exploring history because you’re curious about the past.
- You enjoy playing the piano because it relaxes you, and you feel accomplished when you master a new song.
When you’re intrinsically motivated, the process of learning itself is rewarding, making it easier to stay focused and dedicated.
How to cultivate intrinsic motivation
Intrinsic motivation is powerful because it makes the learning process itself enjoyable.
When you’re motivated from within, you’re more likely to stay engaged and committed, even when the going gets tough.
- Connect learning to personal interests: If a subject feels boring, find a way to tie it into something you’re passionate about. For example, if you’re learning math but love art, explore geometric patterns in design.
- Set personal goals: Focus on what you want to achieve, not just on external expectations. This gives your learning more purpose and keeps you motivated.
Understanding extrinsic motivation
Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, comes from external factors. You’re driven by rewards like grades, praise, or avoiding penalties.
In general, this type of motivation can be effective in the short term. However, it’s often not as sustainable as intrinsic motivation.
However, extrinsic motivation can still play a role in helping you stay on track—especially when you’re struggling to find personal interest in a subject.
For instance, you might study for a test because you want to pass the course or complete a project to avoid negative consequences from a teacher or boss.
While you may not feel naturally curious about the material, the external rewards or pressures push you to complete the task.
Examples of extrinsic motivation:
- You study hard for a test because you want to earn a high grade.
- You turn in assignments on time to avoid penalties or late fees.
- You follow your coach’s directions in practice because you want to earn a starting spot on the team.
Although extrinsic motivation isn’t necessarily bad, it’s important to recognize when you’re relying on external rewards too much.
Over time, this can lead to burnout, as the task becomes more about meeting external expectations than personal growth.
How to balance extrinsic motivation
Extrinsic motivation isn’t bad — in fact, it’s often necessary to help you stay on track and accomplish tasks.
The key is to recognize when you’re relying on external rewards and find ways to balance them with personal interest.
- Turn extrinsic into intrinsic: Find a way to connect external tasks to your internal goals. For example, if you’re studying for an exam just for a grade, try to link the material to something you’re personally interested in. This helps transform an external motivator into a more meaningful one.
- Use external motivation to create structure: Sometimes, we all need deadlines or rewards to keep us accountable. External motivation can help provide that structure but remember to balance it with personal goals to maintain long-term motivation.
5 steps to boost your motivation and stay engaged
1. Tap into your sense of discovery
One of the best ways to stay motivated is to reignite your sense of discovery. When we were children, we had an innate curiosity that pushed us to explore the world. That same excitement can drive your learning today.
Think of learning as a process of discovery rather than something you have to do. Every new concept you encounter is an opportunity to grow.
Studies show that intrinsic motivation — when you’re driven by curiosity and personal goals — leads to greater persistence and deeper learning. By focusing on what you can discover, you’ll naturally put in more effort and be more open to trying new strategies.
Try this: When starting a new project, list the aspects you’re curious about. What excites you about this topic? How can you explore it in a way that feels like a journey of discovery?
2. Take responsibility for your learning
Motivation often drops when we feel like we don’t have control over what we’re learning.
That’s why it’s important to take ownership of your education.
When you actively decide to pursue a subject or skill, you’re more likely to stay engaged.
Set personal goals that align with your values and interests. The key to self-motivation is recognizing that you are in charge of your progress. This sense of autonomy can reignite your drive to learn.
Try this: Start a personal learning journal where you define your goals and track your progress. This can help you stay accountable and keep the momentum going, especially when external motivation starts to fade.
3. Embrace risk and failure as part of learning
A big part of self-motivation is learning to embrace the risks and challenges that come with learning something new.
Fear of failure can stop us from even starting a task, but it’s important to remember that “failure” is part of the process.
As the saying goes, “Success is built on failure.”
So, guess what?
Every time you learn what doesn’t work, you’re one step closer to finding what does.
Instead of fearing mistakes, view them as opportunities to grow. When you accept failure as a natural part of the learning journey, you’ll become more resilient and motivated to keep pushing forward.
Try this: The next time you encounter a setback, reflect on what you learned from it. Write down how the experience can help you improve next time. This shift in perspective can reduce the fear of failure and keep you moving forward.
4. Celebrate your achievements
Motivation is closely tied to how we perceive our progress. When we fail to recognize the steps we’ve taken, we might feel like we’re not moving forward at all.
Therefore, it’s essential to celebrate even the small wins.
Every time you hit a milestone, no matter how small, take a moment to acknowledge your achievement. Positive reinforcement helps build confidence, which, in turn, boosts motivation.
Try this: Keep a list of all your accomplishments, big or small. Whenever you’re feeling discouraged, look back at the list to remind yourself of how far you’ve come.
Celebrating your wins will keep you energized and eager to continue learning.
5. Define your personal learning project
A clear, well-defined project can serve as a motivation booster. When you outline a project that you’re genuinely interested in, it gives your learning purpose.
Here’s how to create a learning project that motivates you:
- Be brief and specific: Write down your project in a few clear sentences. It should be something that sparks your interest and curiosity.
- Set a reasonable timeline: Keep your project timeline short and manageable—around two months. This keeps it from feeling overwhelming and helps you stay focused.
- Rate your curiosity: On a scale of 1 to 10, how curious are you about this subject? If it’s not at least a 5, choose something else! Your project should naturally appeal to you.
Once you’ve defined your project, create a visible reminder. You can use a wallboard in your study space or start a journal where you track your progress.
Posting your project where you can see it will keep your goal front and center, reminding you of what you’re working toward.
Try this: Start your project with a wallboard, notebook, or digital diary. Post your project as the first entry, and every week, update it with your progress and reflections.
Which type of motivation fuels your success?
So, which type of motivation is better?
The truth is, both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation play important roles in your success.
Intrinsic motivation can help you stay passionate and engaged, while extrinsic motivation can keep you focused and on track with deadlines and expectations.
The best approach is to find a balance between the two.
Use extrinsic motivation when you need to meet specific requirements or external goals, but always try to connect your learning to something you personally care about.
When you’re driven by both your own interests and external rewards, you’ll find it easier to stay motivated and achieve long-term success.
Final thoughts: Keep perspective
Motivating yourself is a skill that requires practice.
By reconnecting with your curiosity, taking ownership of your learning, and embracing setbacks, you can maintain the drive to keep pushing forward.
Remember, learning is a continuous journey, not a race.
Treat each project as a step toward your bigger goals, and don’t get discouraged by challenges.
Keep your focus on growth, not perfection. Celebrate your progress, stay curious, and you’ll find the motivation to keep learning — even when things get tough.