essay on motivation in life

Motivation Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on motivation.

Everyone suggests other than the person lack motivation, or directly suggests the person remain motivated. But, no one ever tells what is the motivation of how one can stay motivated. Motivation means to face the obstacle and find an inspiration that helps you to go through tough times. In addition, it helps you to move further in life.

Meaning of Motivation

Motivation is something that cannot be understood with words but with practice. It means to be moved by something so strongly that it becomes an inspiration for you. Furthermore, it is a discipline that helps you to achieve your life goals and also helps to be successful in life .

Besides, it the most common practice that everyone does whether it is your boss in office or a school teacher or a university professor everyone motivates others in a way or other.

Role of Motivation

It is a strong tool that helps to get ahead in life. For being motivated we need a driving tool or goal that keeps us motivated and moves forward. Also, it helps in being progressive both physically and mentally.

Moreover, your goal does not be to big and long term they can be small and empowering. Furthermore, you need the right mindset to be motivated.

Besides, you need to push your self towards your goal no one other than you can push your limit. Also, you should be willing to leave your comfort zone because your true potential is going to revel when you leave your comfort zone.

Types of Motivation

Although there are various types of motivation according to me there are generally two types of motivation that are self- motivation and motivation by others.

Self-motivation- It refers to the power of someone to stay motivated without the influence of other situations and people. Furthermore, self-motivated people always find a way to reason and strength to complete a task. Also, they do not need other people to encourage them to perform a challenging task.

Motivation by others- This motivation requires help from others as the person is not able to maintain a self-motivated state. In this, a person requires encouragement from others. Also, he needs to listen to motivational speeches, a strong goal and most importantly and inspiration.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Importance of Motivation

Motivation is very important for the overall development of the personality and mind of the people. It also puts a person in action and in a competitive state. Furthermore, it improves efficiency and desire to achieve the goal. It leads to stability and improvement in work.

Above all, it satisfies a person’s needs and to achieve his/her goal. It helps the person to fight his negative attitude. The person also tries to come out of his/her comfort zone so that she/ he can achieve the goal.

To conclude, motivation is one of the key elements that help a person to be successful. A motivated person tries to push his limits and always tries to improve his performance day by day. Also, the person always gives her/his best no matter what the task is. Besides, the person always tries to remain progressive and dedicated to her/his goals.

FAQs about Motivation Essay

Q.1 Define what is motivation fit. A.1 This refers to a psychological phenomenon in which a person assumes or expects something from the job or life but gets different results other than his expectations. In a profession, it is a primary criterion for determining if the person will stay or leave the job.

Q.2 List some best motivators. A.2 some of the best motivators are:

• Inspiration
• Fear of failure
• Power of Rejection
• Don’t pity your self
• Be assertive
• Stay among positive and motivated people
• Be calm and visionary

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

• Skip to main content
• Skip to secondary menu
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

A Plus Topper

Improve your Grades

Motivation Essay | Essay on Motivation for Students and Children in English

February 13, 2024 by Prasanna

Motivation Essay:   Motivation is important in life because it helps us gain valued results like personal growth, better well-being, enhanced performance, or a sense of confidence. Motivation is a road to improve our way of feeling, thinking, and behaving. The advantages of motivation are seen in our way of living life.

You can read more  Essay Writing  about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

Long and Short Essays on Motivation for Students and Kids in English

If you are searching for an essay on motivation, you will find below two different articles that you can use to complete your class assignments. Here is the best long essay on motivation for the students of classes 7, 8, 9, and 10. Short essay on Motivation is helpful for students of classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6.

Long Essay on Motivation 500 Words in English

Motivation is an essential factor that changes positive thought into instant action. It switches a great idea into action and can undoubtedly affect the world around you. However, not all are born with motivation. People sometimes have disbelief in themselves; they often say, “I can’t do that” or “the timing is not right.” Being demotivated means living a life as a worn-out machine. Your life will become dull without any spark. So, to gain inner peace and satisfaction in life, you must always stay motivated.

Motivation is a force to push you closer toward your dream. If Steve Jobs lacked the motivation to launch Apple, you would not get an iPhone or iPad. It gives you a purpose to live you with a forever smile on the face. Thus, realizing and working on your self-motivation skills will make you capable of taking control of different aspects of life.

The critical elements of self-motivation are resilience and optimism. The former will help you bounce back during difficult times, whereas later, you will show you a brighter side ahead. This way, you will be able to control your emotions that are holding you back.

You need to locate the right motivation for you to get your spark back. You can find motivation from a wide range of effective sources, for example, from quotes, books, videos, parents, teachers, and even nature. Ultimately, you’ll learn rational thinking to overcome negative emotions when you are motivated in life.

Motivation also helps in making you active in life. You will struggle more to fulfill your goals. A self-motivated person always discovers a way to understand the issues hindering the path to complete a task. Moreover, they do not require other people’s support to accomplish a challenging task close to them.

Hence, motivation is one of the vital factors to be successful in any phase of your life. Whether personal or professional events both demand a person to stay positive to achieve the goals. As a motivated person, you will always try to push your limits and develop your performance level every day.

Moreover, you will continuously thrive on giving your best during every task. You will see that you remain dedicated and progressive towards the objectives of life. Lastly, your dreams and goals will come true as you always aimed.

So, always stay motivated in life without losing hope. When you stay motivated each day, it’ll push you closer to your goals. Learn to remain calm when you go through any hard day. It’s an excellent habit and must be applied in life. As a result, all your negative thoughts will start fading away.

Short Essay on Motivation 200 Words in English

No doubt, a person goes through many types of difficulties in life. Some people lose hope and think of quitting. But is this the right step? Absolutely not. Failing once does not mean there is nothing left in life. There is always a way to fight back the hard times to achieve what you desire.

Whether you’re a school-going kid or a business owner, you lose the track and feel demotivated somewhere in life. But never lose hope, you can work towards your betterment by regaining your motivation.

If anytime in life, you feel hard to fight back and lose motivation, read positive quotes, or watch motivational videos online. You can even put the inspirational quotes on your walls. All you need is positivity and motivation in life. You’ll see soon after that you start tackling challenges one step at a time. Slowly you will reach the destination of success and will feel proud of yourself.

We will typically do our best when we have enough motivation. Motivation makes us do things correctly and perform well. You have higher odds of succeeding when you are fully inspired and put effort. It’ll help you give your best during every situation of life. So always work on your motivation.

10 Lines on Motivation Essay

• Motivation is significant for the overall growth of your mind as well as personality.
• It helps you focus on your goals based on values and skills.
• Motivation is a necessary resource to improve and work productively during changing times as well as threats.
• It boosts your desire to achieve a meaningful life goal.
• You can listen to speeches, videos, read books, or quotes from inspirational people to rework on your lost motivation.
• You will learn to fight your fears and negative thoughts when you are motivated.
• Motivation helps professionals to be positive and happy while working hard to achieve goals.
• When you are motivated, you learn to organize and prioritize your life.
• Motivation help students to concentrate and work hard in the class.
• It awakens the sense of meaning in life.

FAQ’s on Motivation Essay

Question 1. Why do we need motivation in life?

Answer: Motivation is vital because it helps you achieve your goals and become the happiest person by never losing hope.

Question 2. What does motivation teach us?

Answer: You will learn to be self-confident, patient, optimistic, skills, time management, and fighting against your fears.

Question 3. How can I regain motivation in life?

Answer: You can read inspirational books, listen to seminars, and put inspirational quotes on the wall or desk to stay motivated in life.

Question 4. What are the benefits of staying motivated?

Answer: Motivation gives job satisfaction, boosts student engagement, improves relationships, and makes you successful.

• Picture Dictionary
• English Speech
• English Slogans
• English Letter Writing
• English Essay Writing
• English Textbook Answers
• Types of Certificates
• ICSE Solutions
• Selina ICSE Solutions
• ML Aggarwal Solutions
• HSSLive Plus One
• HSSLive Plus Two
• Kerala SSLC
• Distance Education

Presentations made painless

• Get Premium

113 Motivation Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Motivation is the driving force behind our actions, thoughts, and behaviors. It is what pushes us to achieve our goals, overcome obstacles, and persevere through challenges. Writing an essay on motivation can be a great way to explore the topic and gain a deeper understanding of what motivates us as individuals.

To help you get started, here are 113 motivation essay topic ideas and examples that you can use as inspiration for your own writing:

• The importance of setting goals and staying motivated
• How to find motivation in times of adversity
• The role of motivation in achieving success
• The impact of motivation on mental health and well-being
• Motivation and its connection to self-esteem and confidence
• The difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
• How to stay motivated when facing setbacks and failures
• The relationship between motivation and procrastination
• The role of motivation in education and learning
• Motivation and its influence on job satisfaction and performance
• The power of positive thinking and motivation
• The impact of motivation on physical health and fitness
• How to cultivate motivation in yourself and others
• The role of motivation in leadership and management
• Motivation and its effect on creativity and innovation
• The connection between motivation and goal-setting
• Motivation and its influence on decision-making
• The relationship between motivation and self-discipline
• Motivation and its impact on relationships and communication
• The role of motivation in overcoming fears and insecurities
• How to maintain motivation over the long term
• The impact of motivation on personal growth and development
• Motivation and its connection to happiness and fulfillment
• The role of motivation in achieving work-life balance
• Motivation and its effect on mental toughness and resilience
• How to use motivation to overcome challenges and obstacles
• The relationship between motivation and perseverance
• Motivation and its influence on creativity and problem-solving
• The role of motivation in building resilience and coping with stress
• Motivation and its impact on decision-making and risk-taking
• How to motivate others to achieve their goals
• The connection between motivation and self-awareness
• Motivation and its influence on emotional intelligence
• The role of motivation in building a growth mindset
• Motivation and its impact on self-care and self-love
• How to use motivation to overcome self-doubt and insecurity
• The relationship between motivation and passion
• Motivation and its connection to purpose and meaning
• The role of motivation in building confidence and self-esteem
• Motivation and its influence on resilience and adaptability
• How to cultivate motivation through mindfulness and meditation
• The impact of motivation on creativity and innovation
• Motivation and its connection to curiosity and exploration
• The role of motivation in building relationships and community
• Motivation and its influence on leadership and teamwork
• How to use motivation to overcome fear of failure
• The relationship between motivation and self-compassion
• Motivation and its impact on mental health and well-being
• Motivation and its influence on personal growth and development
• How to maintain motivation during challenging times
• The connection between motivation and resilience
• Motivation and its connection to goal-setting and achievement
• The role of motivation in building self-discipline and willpower
• Motivation and its impact on decision-making and problem-solving
• How to use motivation to overcome procrastination
• The relationship between motivation and creativity
• Motivation and its influence on emotional intelligence and self-awareness
• Motivation and its connection to passion and purpose
• How to cultivate motivation through positive thinking and affirmations
• The impact of motivation on personal and professional success
• The role of motivation in building healthy habits and routines
• Motivation and its connection to self-care and self-love
• How to maintain motivation during times of uncertainty
• The connection between motivation and perseverance
• Motivation and its connection to self-awareness and mindfulness
• Motivation and its influence on decision-making and risk-taking
• How to use motivation to overcome fears and insecurities
• Motivation and its impact on personal and professional success
• How to cultivate motivation through gratitude and appreciation
• Motivation and its influence on decision-making and problem-solving

In conclusion, motivation is a powerful force that drives us to achieve our goals and overcome obstacles. By exploring the topic of motivation through essays, we can gain a deeper understanding of what motivates us as individuals and how we can cultivate motivation in ourselves and others. Whether you choose to write about the importance of setting goals, the role of motivation in achieving success, or the impact of motivation on mental health and well-being, there are endless possibilities for exploring this fascinating topic in your writing. So go ahead and choose a topic from the list above, or come up with your own idea, and start writing your motivation essay today!

Want to research companies faster?

Instantly access industry insights

Let PitchGrade do this for me

Leverage powerful AI research capabilities

We will create your text and designs for you. Sit back and relax while we do the work.

Explore More Content

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service

© 2024 Pitchgrade

• Entertainment
• Environment
• Information Science and Technology
• Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Psychology

Essay Samples on Motivation

What motivates me as a student.

What motivates you as a student? This question delves into the driving forces that ignite my passion for learning and shape my academic journey. From the pursuit of knowledge to personal growth and future aspirations, my motivations are diverse and ever-evolving. This essay will explore...

Rising Above Negativity: A Journey in Music and Self-Belief

My Early Music Career Let me inform you about a time when I realized a life lesson. A couple of weeks ago, I started out producing music; I was once just starting as a producer, and I had no prior expertise in song theory. I...

• Life Lesson

Main Disadvantages Reward System and Recognition

The reward system is a group of neural structures responsible for incentive salience, associative learning, and positively balanced emotions, particularly ones which involve pleasure as a core component. The Reward is the attractive and motivational property of a stimulus that induces appetitive behavior, also known...

• Reward System

Carl Rogers and Anna’s Case Study

Carl Rogers was born on the 8th of January 1902 and passed away at the age of 85 on the 4th of January 1987. Rogers was known for developing the person-centered approach and helping found the humanistic approach. Rogers was influenced by Abraham Maslow who...

• Abraham Maslow

My Ambition Far Exceeded My Talents

One important thing to ask about Ambition is if being too motivated is inherently wrong or selfish. This question is important because ambition is motivation, which helps business-men create businesses, Writers to write novels, and Creators to create. A common misconception seems to be that...

Stressed out with your paper?

Consider using writing assistance:

• 100% unique papers
• 3 hrs deadline option

Motivation: Learning What Motivates You

The theoretical structure is the essential piece of each study since its fill in as a manual for deliberately distinguish, the coherent and entirely characterised relationship among variable. It doesn't just help researchers decided the relationship among variable yet, also, equips the researcher with a...

• Personal Experience

Motivation Of People Seeking For Revenge

People tend to become extremely motivated in the pursuit of seeking out revenge on others for various reasons. From something mediocre to an extreme. Revenge is the forceful desire to inflict hurt or harm to another for a wrong suffered at their hands or just...

Application Of Motivation Models In Employee Engagement

Introduction Motivation Motivation means the procedure by which an individual's endeavours are empowered, coordinated, and supported toward accomplishing a goal. The given definition has three key components: vitality, course, and persistence. Vitality The vitality component is a proportion of power of the drive. An inspired...

• Employee Engagement
• Persistence

The Promising Advantages of Honor Codes for the Student's Future

My name is Rosine Uwayesu, and I am currently a sophomore at Tyler Junior College. I am pursuing an associate degree in Biology to complete my pre-med qualifications. After I finish my associate degree this coming fall of 2019, I plan to transfer to UT...

• Honor Codes

How My Favorite Author's Work Has Changed Me

Starting with an exercise to describe your favorite person, Finding a Job in Tough Times by Dr. Tim Johnson leads the reader on a journey of self-discovery. Through introspection, reflection, and self-direction, the book challenges the job-seeker to become more emotionally fit to weather the...

• Favorite Author

How Motivation and Dedication Helped Me to Find My Goal in Life

When you have motivation, it helps you build determination to achieve your goals and do things that exceeds your limits. It is hard to strive for success and happiness when there is no motivation in the air. You need it to keep you from failing...

How to Succed in College and Avoid Dropping Out

College success can be defined in several ways depending on a student’s goals and why they enrolled in the first place. Some students focus on completing the next class task or assignment and overlook the overall effect that education plays in their future life. Which...

• Success in Education

Finding the Motivation to Focus on One Objective

We should all figure out how to focus on the extremely significant errands that will have the best effect on accomplishing our satisfaction and objectives throughout everyday life. We just can't stand to invest important energy to randomly experience life doing the simple things that...

Selfishness as an Integral Part of Human Nature

“It is truth universally acknowledged that humans are selfish and self – centered. Selfishness is not a characteristic only a bad person has, but is part of our human nature. Despite most human being’s perspectives, “selfishness is the driving force behind everything we do.”(Richard) We...

• Personal Qualities
• Selfishness

Who Moved My Cheese: Overcoming the Obstacles

The author of Who Moved My Cheese is Spencer Johnson. He was not only a writer but a physician too. He graduated from Notre Dame High School and then got a Bachelor of Arts degree in phycology from the University of Southern California. He then...

• Overcoming Obstacles
• Who Moved My Cheese

Child Development Theories: The Narratives and Application

Introduction Theories on child development centre around understanding how children change and develop through the span of youth. Theories of development provide a framework for thinking about human growth and learning (Cherry, K. 2019). Such theories focus on different parts of development which include social,...

• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

The Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as the Motivational System of Achievements

The Maslow's hierarchy of needs is one of the best-known theories of motivation. According to humanist psychologist Abraham Maslow, our actions are motivated in order to achieve certain needs. Abstract: Maslow believed that each individual has a hierarchy of needs, consisting of physiological, safety, social,...

The Loss of Motivation in Professional Chess

It is very unfortunate that players go from the pristine state of 'What can I learn?' to 'How can I improve my rating?'. And when it comes to kids, parents (and I am a parent of a chess player) are guilty of that shift in...

High Motivation and Obstacles to the Peak Performance 

Overybody loves peak performance and it is their desire to achieve it, however, many people are forced to quit due to the numerous obstacles associated with peak performance. As we already know that it is not easy to achieve peak performance, there are many obstacles...

Health Coaching: Motivating Lifestyle Change

As life becomes more fast paced and cutthroat with each passing second, chronic illnesses such as stress, hypotension and chronic pain become more common. What’s most unfortunate about such illnesses is that they do not have a solid cure, as they arise due to a...

• Healthy Lifestyle

Nelson Mandela as the Source of Motivation for Young Activists

Providence College has been granted $250,000 to construct a statue on campus that commemorates heroism. The statue will help as a reminder to educate students and future generations qualities like independence, courage integrity, and resourcefulness. This is why Nelson Mandela should be memorialized, he embodies...

• Nelson Mandela

The Social Network: Motivation of Facebook's Founder

Introduction: The Social Network narrates the story of Mark Zuckerberg, a young computer engineer attending Harvard University. After breaking up with his girlfriend Zuckerberg decides to create a site to rank the young appeal of Harvard co-eds. He uses his exemplary computer knowledge to download...

• The Social Network

How Motivation Helps Overcome Academic Challenges

According to Usher and Morris (2012), the cognitive process is a process to acquire information and knowledge which are added to the previous beliefs and thoughts. The development of cognitive processes is mostly depending on how the support it receives from the surrounding environment. They...

• Academic Challenges

Motivational Drive of the Nestle Employees

To enhance their corporate image and also to ensure that employees are involved in activities intended to improve and promote good quality of life, many employees in the region have been engaged in various activities aimed at giving back to the community. Since 2011, they...

Hierarchical Control: Link to Productivity and Motivation of Workers

To put it plainly, hierarchical control is the procedure of consistently dispensing, assessing, and managing assets to accomplish authoritative objectives. To effectively control an association, administrators must realize what execution criteria are, yet in addition discover how to impart that data to representatives. Control is...

Brainology: Transforming Students' Motivation to Learn

Life is a learning process, and every day, we encounter situations that will force us to learn. Some ways can help us to learn better, but they come with a lot of challenges. The need to succeed is one of the pressure students face in...

Research Report on Motivations of Serial Killers

Abstract The study investigated the contributing factors of why people become serial killers. The study methodology involved twenty case studies of killings that took place in the United States. The case studies were limited to 1960s up to date. The case studies were screened for...

• Serial Killer

Swimming as a Tool to Develop Motivation in Young Children

In the last decade, much of the research produced around physical education suggests that teacher behaviour in the learning environment and the type of instructional approaches they use, significantly affect the degree that students learn (VanTassel-Baska, J. 2012). Numerous different teaching styles have been proposed...

• Childhood Development

Mahatma Gandhi, Motivation to Continue for Millions in India

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi has been an ideological, political, and profound pioneer of India. He was conceived in 1869 in Porbandar, India, yet a Hindu fanatic killed in 1948. He considered law in London and came back to India to rehearse his investigations a while later....

• Mahatma Gandhi

Medicine – The Perfect Industry For Me

I was inspired to study Medicine the moment I witnessed a dural splitting craniocervical decompression procedure. I undertook work experience at the Leeds General Infirmary within the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. During work experience, I observed different surgeries, from Paediatric Neurosurgery to Cancer Surgery on...

• About Myself
• Career Goals

My Career Plans In The Childcare Area

In the last 2 years I have realise that I really want to work with children and young people because everyday is different and full of unknown. I am a person that it is always willing to learn something new and try new things to...

My Enthusiasm And Dedication To Study Mathematics

Transire suum pectus mundoque potiri, there is no other sentence that could better describe the purpose of maths and its austere beauty. I’d like to study mathematics to educate the eye and the ear of the mind, to be able to see or hear its...

My Fascination With Economics Studies

I believe we can have a better world. But to improve it I must understand it. This course will help me do that. Shadowing a QC Judge allowed me to observe the impact of judicial institutions on society, see how the judge came to conclusions...

My Interest In Clinical Psychology As A Future Career

Psychology changes lives. It can be the catalyst to change a mindset, to solve a problem and to create a therapy. It can give you the tools to better yourself in ways you thought you couldn't and creates a sense of hope that you can...

Physiotherapy – The Best Career Option For Me

Being an advocate of good health and fitness, physiotherapy excites me as a career option. For me life is at its best when u can make a difference to somebody else life and being a physiotherapist can give me this opportunity, Physiotherapy helps those who...

The Reasons I Choose To Study Natural Sciences At University

Science is fundamentally important to me, it represents progression in time; the more we research and experiment themore we are able to understand the world we live in. I love science because it attempts to explain every single action that ispossible in ways which can...

The Reasons I Choose To Study Philosophy, Politics And Economics (PPE) Course

In July 2018 I interned at the Elysee in President Macron’s speechwriting office, witnessing the meticulous research and data analysis over different disciplines required to craft a major policy speech. It illustrated how addressing complex societal problems requires broad interdisciplinary knowledge. Looking forwards, combining philosophy’s...

The Reasons I Deserve An Opportunity To Join CRS’ Fellows Program

My experiences and vocation as a pharmacist make me the ideal candidate for the CRS’ Fellows Program. Your organization is known to help the poor and vulnerable overcome emergencies and access affordable healthcare. I know that with my background in pharmacy and interest in supply...

• Personal Life

Extrinsic And Intrinsic Motivators Within Sports

In professional sports athletes can be paid up to very large amounts of money. Through these large sums of money being paid this can lead to athletes becoming more extrinsically motivated rather than intrinsically motivated. Intrinsic motivation is where a person (athlete in this case)...

• Adventure Sports

Importance Of Perseverance In Reaching Your Life Goals

People complain, they complain about their situation without even trying to change it. They ask me: „Why should I even try“ „I‘m doing this so long, I can‘t reach anything“ they keep doubting themselves. But you know what is gonna make the big difference in...

• Modern Society

Human Motivation Theory By David McClelland

In any organization it should be considered vital to identify the underlying motivational forces of team members. Pinpointing motivators can help better understand the individual worker and to manage and motivate them in the best possible way in teams. David McClelland proposed his Human Motivation...

• Organizational Culture

Homework Assistance And Children'S Task Persistence

A child’s motivation in school context may be affected by many environmental factor’s, however, it is well known that the role a mother play’s may be crucial. The study conducted by Viljaranta et al. (2018) observes the longitudinal relation between a mother’s assistance with schoolwork...

The Importance Of Emotional Management

Motivation has been outlined in varied ways in which over the years, however a standard element of the various definitions is that motivation could be a force that energizes, activates and directs behavior. In 2006, Franken outlined motivation because the arousal, direction, and persistence of...

• Developmental Psychology
• Human Behavior

The Reasons Employee Motivation Is Critical For A Company

Motivation is the main stimulus directing the activities and actions of employees. It drives them to accomplish an objective or to satisfy desire. Comprehending what incites employees at work ensures that a business not just has workers that have the education, inclination and capacity to...

My Motivation To Pursue A Career In Theatre

Bringing people together to enjoy a production is a magical and memorable experience and over the years I’ve had the privilege to watch and perform in some amazing productions. I believe that taking young people to live theatre provides a host of developmental benefits, including...

Analysis Of Theories Of Job Satisfaction

Motivation refers to the drive and effort to satisfy a want or goal. Satisfaction refers to the contentment experienced when a want is satisfied. Motivation implies a drive toward an outcome, and satisfaction is the outcome already experienced. Job satisfaction is a general attitude, which...

• Job Satisfaction

My Motivation To Take A Role In The Medical Field

Desire to excel to the best of my abilities has always been a personal trait of mine and being aware there are obstacles to overcome, has only encouraged me further to achieve my goals and ambitions. A profound interest to study this degree course stems...

Best topics on Motivation

1. What Motivates Me as a Student

2. Rising Above Negativity: A Journey in Music and Self-Belief

3. Main Disadvantages Reward System and Recognition

4. Carl Rogers and Anna’s Case Study

5. My Ambition Far Exceeded My Talents

6. Motivation: Learning What Motivates You

7. Motivation Of People Seeking For Revenge

8. Application Of Motivation Models In Employee Engagement

9. The Promising Advantages of Honor Codes for the Student’s Future

10. How My Favorite Author’s Work Has Changed Me

11. How Motivation and Dedication Helped Me to Find My Goal in Life

12. How to Succed in College and Avoid Dropping Out

13. Finding the Motivation to Focus on One Objective

14. Selfishness as an Integral Part of Human Nature

15. Who Moved My Cheese: Overcoming the Obstacles

• Development
• Lev Vygotsky Theory
• Problem Solving
• Neuroscience
• Birth Order

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

Motivation: The Need to Achieve Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Psychologists’ view on origin of motivation

Theories on motivation, self-efficacy and self-esteem as motivators, ego and goal-orientation as motivators, conclusions, limitations of the article and how to improve the article.

Motivation in sports fluctuates from time and from individual to individual. Its unpredictability has seen many mediocre sportsmen turn into champions and heroes while great sportsmen turn into mediocre villains. The complexity of motivation has led to several psychologists coming up with various explanations on the source of motivation.

As early as 1889, psychologists such as Norman Triplett had posited that motivation is as result of social setting (Triplett, 1898; Carlson & Heth, 2009). Even though several years later many psychologists also tried to explain what causes motivation or lack of it from various viewpoints, one thing they unanimously agreed on was that human beings have no control over their motivation process at some point. The debates aside, motivation stems from both our biological make up and experience (Harrnstein, 1972; Maslow, 1987).

One theory on motivation is the goal setting-theory which postulates that many people are driven to success measured by finally reaching the desired definite end. Such individuals will work to achieve these goals especially if they are moderate in nature. This is because optimal drive to succeed is achieved as low or too high goals will only work to discourage the individual. That is, he will be driven to success by the close proximity and yet uncertainty of success which is very specific.

Thus, tasks which are very specific, with moderate difficulty and proximity will be more motivating than those which are general and too difficult to achieve. Setting of goals is only possible because human beings have self determination to succeed. This is what is postulated by the self-determination theory to explain what drives human beings to achieve.

This theory opines that humans are inherently driven to grow and develop and hence our source of motivation is somewhat inborn. However, this theory recognizes the role of external factors as the main activators of this innate drive to succeed. The need to control the events of our lives in order to feel connected to others and be competent in our skills is the primary sources of our motivation.

Hence, human beings are able to control their thoughts and conscious and channel them towards striving for excellence (Murphy, 2009; Ryan & Deci, 2000). Thus, we are able to control our desires for success, and feelings of pleasure and acceptance (Ryan & Deci, 2000).

The Need hierarchy theory of motivation states that human beings are only driven to success by those needs which they have not satisfied. Since, human beings have complex needs, they are satisfied from bottom up with those on the higher levels satisfied first. As one moves up the hierarchy of needs, the drive to achieve increases. Thus, the drive that an individual has for quenching his thirst or filling an empty stomach is lower compared to that of achieving his full potential or self actualization which is the highest level of need.

The Incentive theory of motivation cuts across various theories of motivation. It somewhat incorporates all these theories in a bid to explain the complexity of motivation. Incentives to move to greater heights can come in various forms. Others can be intrinsic while others can be extrinsic but they all act as incentives towards success. Satisfaction achieved from participating in activities gives us the feeling of pleasure and acceptance.

This can be encouraging enough to drive us to success. The rewards of pleasure and acceptance are usually intrinsic as postulated by self-determination theory. External stimuli activate these internal stimuli. However, it has to be noted that external and internal stimuli sometimes work antagonistically.

Continued usage of external stimuli as a source of motivation may eventually replace the innate drive to succeed. Like sportsmen, we have an intrinsic desire to win, improve ourselves and learn new ideas. On the other hand, extrinsically we can be driven by the desire having rewards such as medals, promotion and money among others. When such rewards are not forthcoming, we may lose our motivation. (Baumeister & Vohs, 2004; Carver & Scheier, 2001).

However, when an external stimulus is introduced, they lose their autonomy. And when such stimulus is withdrawn, our motivation slumps. Conversely, such external rewards as trophies, scholarships, medals and money may be so ingrained in us that they become more or less part of us. Hence, we will go a great length to achieve them.

In this scenario, such external stimuli almost become intrinsic because failure to attain them will only push us to work harder, thereby, raising our motivation. Such external stimuli, when achieved would become part and parcel of our growth, hence becoming a ‘biological need’. Because intrinsic stimuli are not always a guarantee, there is need to find a suitable extrinsic stimuli to drive us to success. This should be done with caution though as over usage of external stimuli may eventually replace internal stimuli.

However, sometimes we lack both stimuli. Thus, we will not make any attempt to participate in any activity even though we might be assured of success. Our lack of motivation can be attributed to lack of or low self-esteem and lack of or low self-efficacy.

With self-efficacy, we are able to carry out a self evaluation of our capabilities to achieve any goal of any difficulty and even without a glimmer of hope of succeeding. More, we can have the drive even if the goals are not clear. (Ormrod, 2006; Bandura, 1997). When we have high self-efficacy levels we are highly driven, hence will always go an extra mile to achieve success.

Contrarily, low self-efficacy levels lead to low motivation as the lack self belief is vital for motivation and achieving success. Self-efficacy is more of being overconfident (Luszczynska & Schwarzer, 2005) which many people have spoken ill of. When properly utilized, overconfidence can motivate us to success rather lead to our downfall as many believe. However, there is a difference between being overconfident and feeling good one’s self which is termed as self-esteem (Fishbein, & Ajzen, 1975).

Feeling good does have the element of the sense of belonging that can effectively and strongly drive an individual to success. The competitive nature of life’s challenges requires more than just feeling good; the pain of losing, the joy of winning and the long strenuous hours of practice demand commitment and consistency that can only be achieved through high motivation.

One can only be moved to action by self-esteem; however, to sustain the action despite the challenges, one needs goals to achieve. Such goals can only be set when an individual has high self-efficacy. Like an overconfident individual, egoistic people have been shunned for most people to believe that their ego will cloud their judgment.

However, the ego can be a greater motivator as we would always want to be the best. This is unlike a goal oriented individual who would go to a great length to learn something new and grow. Indeed, an individual who is able to find a common ground between being goal oriented and ego oriented would, however, be more successful (Walle, 1997; Locke & Latham, 2006).

Due to the critical role that motivation plays in the success in our lives, it is important for us to understand what motivates us. We should be able to classify stimuli as extrinsic or intrinsic. Such information is very important as it will help us in mapping out appropriate action plans in our lives and formulate ways in dealing with those times when we are lowly or highly motivated (The British Psychological Society).

However, we should take charge of our own lives and motivational processes by changing our attitudes, cutting a niche for ourselves in the environment we live in and become actively involved in the activities we engage in. Moreover, concentrating on the positive things, praising others and staying around motivated teammates will be a great boost.

These theories on motivation in life few lack of corroborating evidence to support their numerous points of view. Even though psychologists argue their cases effectively, they do not cite other researchers to affirm their cases. Moreover, they do not use real life scenarios to prove the validity of most of their assertions. Thus, there need to carry out more research studies into the causes of motivation.

They studies should extend into other numerous fields other life, education, business and sports. Moreover, there is overemphasis on motivation as the sole driver of life ignoring other aspects such as spirituality. Success in life does not entirely depend on motivation as many spiritual leaders and people believe that to succeed in life; we need the divine power that comes from God.

There is need to study the psychology of those who entirely believe in spirituality as the drive to success. In addition, since there is continued use of performance enhancing drugs amongst many sportsmen, there is need to study their psychology and what drives them into using such drugs to improve their performance.

Alexander, P., Ryan, R., & Deci, E. (2000). “Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions and New Directions”. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 25 (1).

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control . New York: Freeman.

Baumeister, R., & Vohs, K. (2004). Handbook of self-regulation: Research, theory, and applications . New York: Guilford Press.

Carlson, N. R., & Heth, C.D. (2009). Psychology the Science of Behavior . Toronto: Pearson Education.

Carver, C., & Scheier, F. (2001). On the self-regulation of behavior . New York: Cambridge University Press.

Eliot, J. Motivation: The Need to Achieve . In: Murphy, S. (1957). The Sport Psych Handbook . Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.

Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Belief, attitude, intention, and behavior: An introduction to theory and research . Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

Harrnstein, J. (1972). “Nature as Nurture: Behaviorism and the Instinct Doctrine”. Behavior 1 (1): 23–52.

Lepper, M., Greene, D., & Nisbet, R. (1973). “Undermining Children’s Intrinsic Interest with Extrinsic Reward; A Test of ‘Overjustification’ Hypothesis”. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 28 : 129‐37.

Locke, E., & Latham, G. (2006). “New directions in goal-setting theory”. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15: 265-268.

Luszczynska, A., & Schwarzer, R. (2005). “Social cognitive theory. In M. Conner & P. Norman (Eds.), Predicting health behavior (2 nd ed.). Buckingham, England: Open University Press.

Maslow, A. H. (1987). Motivation and Personality . New York: Pearson Education.

Murphy, J. (2009). Inner Excellence . New York: McGraw-Hill.

Ormrod, J. E. (2006 ). Educational Psychology: Developing Learners . (5 th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson.

Ryan, R., & Deci, L. (2000). “Self-Determination Theory and the Facilation of Intrinsic Motivation, Social Development, and Well-Being”. American Psychologist .

The British Psychological Society. (n.d). Becoming an Educational Psychologist . Web.

Triplett, N. (1898). The dynamogenic factors in pacemaking and competition. American Journal of Psychology, 9 : 507-533.

Wigfield, A., et al . (2004). “Children’s motivation for reading: Domain specificity and instructional influences”. The Journal of Educational Research, 97 : 299-309.

Walle, D. (1997). “Development and validation of a work domain goal orientation instrument”. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 8: 995-1015.

• Deductive and Inductive Reasoning
• Bibliotherapy as a Psychological Approach
• Critique the Theory of Self-Efficacy Using the Internal and External Criticism
• Sports and Business: The Complicacies and the Benefits
• Self-Efficacy: Implications for Organizational Behavior and HRM
• Fundamentals of guidance and counselling
• Contemporary Mathematical Model of Human Behavior Under Some Environmental Constraints
• An Early Literacy Intervention
• Biological Psychology
• The Mind Is Separate From the Brain: A Descartes’ Assumptions
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2019, May 20). Motivation: The Need to Achieve. https://ivypanda.com/essays/motivation-the-need-to-achieve-essay/

"Motivation: The Need to Achieve." IvyPanda , 20 May 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/motivation-the-need-to-achieve-essay/.

IvyPanda . (2019) 'Motivation: The Need to Achieve'. 20 May.

IvyPanda . 2019. "Motivation: The Need to Achieve." May 20, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/motivation-the-need-to-achieve-essay/.

1. IvyPanda . "Motivation: The Need to Achieve." May 20, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/motivation-the-need-to-achieve-essay/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Motivation: The Need to Achieve." May 20, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/motivation-the-need-to-achieve-essay/.

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

• Basic site functions
• Ensuring secure, safe transactions
• Secure account login
• Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
• Remembering privacy and security settings
• Analyzing site traffic and usage
• Personalized search, content, and recommendations
• Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

• Remembering general and regional preferences
• Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy .

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy .

Home — Essay Samples — Psychology — Motivation — Motivation in Different Aspects of Our Lives

Motivation in Different Aspects of Our Lives

• Categories: Motivation Personal Growth and Development

About this sample

Words: 751 |

Published: Mar 18, 2021

Words: 751 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Karlyna PhD

Verified writer

• Expert in: Psychology Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 1126 words

1 pages / 474 words

3 pages / 1333 words

4 pages / 1901 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Motivation

Brief introduction of the author Background in a lower-class family and education Completed Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Worked as an IT Instructor in vocational training institutes Currently [...]

Motivation is something that is sought out by everyone in some form or another. It is a driving force that causes us to want to do better or to change something that we might be doing. Motivational speaker Nick Vujicic talks [...]

Motivation is a complex and multifaceted concept that has intrigued scholars and practitioners alike for decades. It plays a crucial role in driving human behavior and has been the subject of numerous studies and theories in the [...]

Throughout history, individuals and communities have been motivated to struggle for change in various aspects of society, from civil rights and social justice to environmental protection and political reform. Understanding the [...]

It is undeniable that people are motivated by many different things, yet fear is one of the most powerful motivators there is. Fear is the natural instinct that helped humans through their evolution. Today, people don’t have to [...]

I am writing this letter with a strong will to apply for the PhD position in UMC university. The reasons that motivated me to choose this program is, due to both the educational quality of Dutch institutions and the cultural [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Essay on Motivation

Introduction to Motivation

Amidst adversity, Amy, a struggling artist, found solace in her passion for painting. Despite constant setbacks, her unwavering determination fueled her creativity. Encouraged by a supportive community, she persisted, honing her skills. Finally, her perseverance paid off when a renowned gallery accepted her work. Amy’s journey is a prime example of the motivational power of transformation, showing that even the worst circumstances can yield extraordinary accomplishments if one is committed to them and has faith in their abilities.

Motivation, the driving force behind human behavior, is a complex phenomenon vital for personal and professional success. Understanding its intricacies is paramount in fostering productivity, achievement, and well-being.

Watch our Demo Courses and Videos

Valuation, Hadoop, Excel, Mobile Apps, Web Development & many more.

Meaning of Motivation

Motivation refers to the factors that drive an individual to initiate, sustain, and direct their behavior toward achieving specific goals or fulfilling particular needs. It encompasses the psychological processes that energize and guide behavior, influencing actions’ intensity, direction, and persistence. Motivation can stem from intrinsic sources such as personal interests and values and extrinsic factors like rewards and recognition. Understanding motivation is crucial for enhancing performance, satisfaction, and overall well-being.

Nature of Motivation

The nature of motivation refers to the underlying characteristics and mechanisms that drive individuals to pursue goals or engage in behaviors. It encompasses needs, desires, incentives, and cognitive processes that energize and direct behavior toward achieving specific outcomes. Here are some:

• Innate Drive: Motivation is an inherent aspect of human nature. It motivates individuals to pursue goals and fulfill needs.
• Multifaceted: Motivation manifests in various forms, including intrinsic (internal desires) and extrinsic (external rewards or pressures).
• Dynamic: Motivation fluctuates over time and context, influenced by emotions, environment, and personal experiences.
• Goal-oriented: It energizes behavior towards specific objectives, guiding actions and decisions in alignment with desired outcomes.
• Subjective: Motivation differs among individuals based on unique aspirations, values, and circumstances.
• Influence of Incentives: External rewards or consequences often significantly shape motivational levels and behavior.
• Cognitive Processes: Motivation involves mental processes such as goal-setting, expectancy, and self-efficacy beliefs, impacting the initiation and persistence of actions.
• Cultural and Social Influences: Societal norms, cultural values, and interpersonal relationships can profoundly shape motivational patterns and goals.
• Impact on Performance: Motivation significantly affects performance levels, creativity, and overall achievement across various domains.
• Potential for Enhancement: Goals-setting, feedback, and intrinsic rewards can enhance and sustain motivation, fostering personal growth and success.

Importance of Motivation

Motivation is the inner drive that stimulates individuals to achieve goals and fulfill desires. It fuels persistence, productivity, and personal growth.

• Achievement: Motivation propels individuals toward their goals, providing the drive and determination necessary for success. Whether personal or professional, it catalyzes action and guides efforts toward tangible outcomes and fulfillment.
• Productivity: Motivation is the key to unlocking peak productivity. It empowers individuals to focus their energy and efforts on tasks with purpose and enthusiasm, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness and resulting in greater output and performance.
• Resilience: Motivation cultivates resilience by instilling in individuals a sense of purpose and optimism. Motivated individuals exhibit perseverance and adaptability in facing challenges and setbacks, bouncing back with renewed determination.
• Satisfaction: Motivation fuels a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment as individuals derive meaning and accomplishment from their endeavors. Whether achieving personal milestones or professional success, motivation enhances overall well-being and happiness.
• Innovation: Motivation sparks creativity and innovation by inspiring individuals to explore new ideas and approaches. It encourages unconventional thinking and risk-taking, which can lead to breakthroughs and advancements in various fields.
• Engagement: Motivation fosters individual engagement and commitment, creating a positive and collaborative work environment. It promotes teamwork and cooperation, driving collective efforts towards shared goals and objectives.
• Personal Growth: Motivation drives continuous learning and development, empowering individuals to expand their skills and capabilities. It fuels a growth mindset, encouraging self-improvement and progress towards realizing one’s full potential.
• Well-being: Motivation contributes to overall well-being by promoting positive emotions and reducing stress. It enhances mental resilience and self-confidence, fostering a sense of balance and fulfillment in both personal and professional life.

Role of Motivation

Several vital points can summarize the role of motivation in human behavior and achievement:

• Driving Force : Motivation drives human actions and behaviors, initiating and sustaining effort towards achieving goals and fulfilling needs.
• Goal Orientation : It directs individuals towards specific goals or objectives, providing clarity and purpose to their actions.
• Performance Enhancement : Motivation enhances performance by increasing effort, persistence, and concentration, leading to improved outcomes and results.
• Overcoming Obstacles : Motivation helps individuals overcome obstacles and setbacks by fostering resilience, determination, and problem-solving skills.
• Decision Making : Motivation guides individuals in making choices aligned with their goals and values, influencing decision-making processes.
• Adaptability : Motivation promotes adaptability and flexibility in response to changing circumstances, enabling individuals to adjust their strategies and behaviors accordingly.
• Emotional Well-being : Motivation contributes to emotional well-being by generating a sense of satisfaction, accomplishment, and fulfillment when a person achieves his goals.
• Self-Regulation : It promotes self-regulation by motivating people to monitor and manage their emotions, ideas, and actions to get the desired results.
• Social Interaction : Motivation influences social interactions and relationships, shaping how individuals collaborate, compete, and cooperate with others toward common objectives.
• Continuous Improvement : Motivation fosters constant improvement and growth, encouraging individuals to set new goals and strive for higher levels of performance and mastery.

Types of Motivation

Several types of motivation are classified based on psychological perspectives and underlying mechanisms. Some common types of motivation include:

Sources of Motivation

Sources of motivation refer to the factors or stimuli that drive individuals to initiate, sustain, and direct their behavior toward achieving specific goals or outcomes. Individuals vary widely in their sources of motivation, which different factors can influence. Here are some key points defining sources of motivation:

• Internal Motivation: Intrinsic motivation, originating from internal desires and satisfaction, drives people to participate in activities for personal growth and enjoyment. Pursuing hobbies or skill mastery is a form of motivation not dependent on outside rewards.
• External Motivation: External motivation, fueled by tangible rewards like money or recognition and social approval or fear of punishment, arises from external incentives. It drives behavior through external stimuli rather than intrinsic desires.
• Achievement Motivation: Achievement motivation is rooted in the desire for accomplishment. It propels individuals to set and pursue challenging goals. This drive to succeed and surpass previous achievements fuels perseverance and resilience in overcoming obstacles.
• Affiliation Motivation: The need for social connections and belongingness fuels affiliation motivation. Individuals seeking companionship, approval, or collaboration drive themselves to foster interpersonal relationships and to feel connected to others.
• Power Motivation: Power motivation drives individuals to influence, control, or lead others. Individuals seek authority, competition , or leadership roles, reflecting a desire for dominance and impact within social or organizational contexts.
• Fear Motivation: Fear motivation arises from anticipating negative consequences or threats. It drives individuals to engage in behaviors to avoid undesirable outcomes, leading to compliance with rules or regulations.
• Growth Motivation: Growth motivation fuels the desire for personal development and self-improvement. Individuals drive themselves by seeking new experiences, challenges, and learning opportunities fueled by the aspiration for continuous growth and development.
• Emotional Motivation: Feelings, moods, and emotions drive emotional motivation. Joy, excitement, passion, or fear can influence motivation levels and behavior, guiding individuals’ actions based on their emotional state.

Challenges and Barriers to Motivation

Some common challenges and barriers people face:

• Lack of Clear Goals: With clear objectives, individuals can find direction, leading to a lack of motivation. Uncertainty can diminish enthusiasm and focus, making sustaining effort and engagement in tasks or projects challenging.
• Hostile Environment: Toxic workplaces or unsupportive social circles can erode motivation. Constant exposure to negativity drains energy and enthusiasm, making it difficult for individuals to maintain a positive mindset and stay motivated to pursue their goals.
• Fear of Failure: The dread of failing or facing criticism can paralyze motivation. People hesitate to take chances and accept challenges because they fear they won’t live up to expectations or disappoint others. This fear ultimately impedes progress and personal development.
• Procrastination: Delaying tasks due to distractions or lacking discipline undermines motivation. Putting off essential responsibilities leads to guilt and frustration, hindering productivity and making it challenging to maintain momentum and focus.
• Burnout: Overwork and chronic stress deplete motivation. Excessive demands and relentless pressure can exhaust individuals, leading to feelings of disillusionment and disengagement from tasks or activities they once found fulfilling.
• Lack of Recognition: Not receiving acknowledgment for efforts diminishes motivation. Recognition and rewards for achievements make individuals feel more valued and appreciated, leading to increased enthusiasm and commitment to their work or goals.
• Personal Limitations: Mental or physical health challenges impact motivation. Conditions such as depression or chronic illness can sap energy and enthusiasm, making it difficult for individuals to stay focused and motivated to pursue their goals.
• External Pressures: Financial constraints or societal expectations can dampen motivation. External stressors such as financial worries or cultural norms create additional burdens, making it challenging for individuals to maintain motivation amidst competing priorities and pressures.
• Monotony and Routine: Repetitive tasks breed boredom and demotivation. Lack of variety in daily activities leads to monotony, diminishing interest and enthusiasm for tasks, ultimately sapping energy and hindering productivity.
• Lack of Autonomy: Micromanagement stifles motivation. When individuals feel their autonomy is restricted, it diminishes intrinsic motivation and job satisfaction, as they lack the freedom to make decisions and take ownership of their work.

Motivation Improves Performance

Motivation is crucial in improving performance across various aspects of life , whether in academic pursuits, professional endeavors, or personal goals. Here are several points on how motivation can enhance performance:

• Increased Effort : Motivated people typically work harder to accomplish their objectives. They are prepared to go above and beyond, investing the time and effort necessary to be successful.
• Persistence and Resilience : Motivation fuels perseverance and resilience in facing difficulties and setbacks. Motivated people are more likely to overcome challenges, disappointments, and setbacks with perseverance and learn from them instead of giving up.
• Goal Clarity and Focus : Individuals should concentrate on achieving the goals and objectives that are clear to them due to motivation. People can assign resources and prioritize tasks more efficiently when they have a clear goal in mind.
• Enhanced Creativity and Innovation : By pushing people to think creatively and innovatively and to experiment with new concepts, motivation fosters creativity and innovation. Motivated people are more inclined to look for different approaches and take measured chances.
• Positive Attitude and Mindset : Motivation fosters a positive attitude and mindset, which is essential for optimal performance. It instills optimism, self-belief, and confidence, enabling individuals to tackle challenges with enthusiasm and determination.
• Improved Productivity and Efficiency : Motivation is related to productivity and efficiency. Motivated individuals are generally more productive, efficiently utilizing their time and resources to accomplish tasks and meet deadlines.
• Higher Quality of Work : Motivation propels people to aim for greatness and produce excellent work. Self-driven people take pride in their work, are meticulous, and strive for excellence.
• Effective Time Management : Motivation encourages practical time management skills. Individuals are more likely to set realistic deadlines and adhere to schedules when motivated to prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency.
• Positive Relationships and Collaboration : Motivated individuals are often more inclined to collaborate and build positive relationships. They are open to feedback, receptive to teamwork, and willing to support others in achieving common goals.
• Personal Growth and Development : Motivation fosters personal growth and development by continuously encouraging individuals to seek self-improvement and skill enhancement. Motivated individuals are likelier to engage in lifelong learning and pursue growth opportunities.

Case Studies

• Serena Williams : Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her career, Serena Williams remains one of the most successful tennis players of all time. Her relentless determination and self-motivation are evident in her ability to bounce back from setbacks, injuries, and personal struggles, continuously striving for excellence and setting new sports records.
• Mahatma Gandhi : Gandhi’s unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance and his pursuit of India’s independence from British rule exemplify the power of intrinsic motivation. His deeply held beliefs in justice, equality, and freedom fueled his tireless efforts, inspiring millions worldwide to join the struggle for social and political change through peaceful means.
• Marie Curie : Marie Curie’s commitment to scientific advancement is evidence of her intrinsic motivation; she is the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize and the only individual to receive it in two distinct scientific domains. Curie’s passion for research and unwavering pursuit of knowledge drove her groundbreaking work in radioactivity, leaving an indelible mark on science despite facing societal barriers and gender discrimination.
• Malala Yousafzai : Despite threats and violence from the Taliban, Malala’s brave advocacy for girls’ education in Pakistan demonstrates the power of extrinsic motivation driven by a sense of justice and purpose. She has become an international symbol of tenacity and inspiration for young activists due to her unwavering commitment to stand up for what she believes in, even in the face of danger.
• Jane Goodall : Goodall’s groundbreaking studies on chimpanzees and unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation throughout her life underscore the significance of intrinsic motivation derived from a strong bond with nature and a desire to preserve the environment. Her innovative findings and unceasing efforts to spread the word about environmental problems have motivated many people to take up the cause of biodiversity preservation and sustainable living.

In conclusion, motivation is the cornerstone of human endeavor, shaping our actions and determining our success. By exploring its theories and influences, we recognize its profound impact on individual and collective achievements. By using its power and implementing valuable strategies, we can realize our full potential and move towards our objectives with purpose and tenacity. This will guarantee a happy and rewarding journey ahead.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you

Valuation, Hadoop, Excel, Web Development & many more.

Forgot Password?

This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. By closing this banner, scrolling this page, clicking a link or continuing to browse otherwise, you agree to our Privacy Policy

Explore 1000+ varieties of Mock tests View more

Submit Next Question

Early-Bird Offer: ENROLL NOW

The Vital Importance and Benefits of Motivation

Otherwise, we would have been born as a sloth or a panda bear (no offense to these lovely creatures).

It is in our nature to strive, to want, and to move in a direction of something we desire and deem valuable.

Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.

William James

This article explains the reasons why understanding human motivation is important and well worth the time spent on learning to increase it. It lists many benefits of healthy motivation and distinguishes the types of motivation that are more effective in dealing with our complex and rapidly changing environment.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Goal Achievement Exercises for free . These detailed, science-based exercises will help you or your clients create actionable goals and master techniques to create lasting behavior change.

This Article Contains:

Why is motivation important, benefits of motivation, extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation.

• Self-Motivation

A Motivational Quote

11 top motivational videos, a take-home message.

Why is it important to understand motivation? Why do we care about what people want and why they want it? How about because it can improve our lives.

Understanding motivation gives us many valuable insights into human nature. It explains why we set goals, strive for achievement and power, why we have desires for psychological intimacy and biological sex, why we experience emotions like fear, anger, and compassion.

Learning about motivation is valuable because it helps us understand where motivation comes from, why it changes, what increases and decreases it, what aspects of it can and cannot be changed, and helps us answer the question of why some types of motivation are more beneficial than others.

Motivation reflects something unique about each one of us and allows us to gain valued outcomes like improved performance, enhanced wellbeing, personal growth, or a sense of purpose. Motivation is a pathway to change our way of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

Finding ways to increase motivation is crucial because it allows us to change behavior, develop competencies, be creative, set goals, grow interests, make plans, develop talents, and boost engagement. Applying motivational science to everyday life helps us to motivate employees, coach athletes, raise children, counsel clients, and engage students.

The benefits of motivation are visible in how we live our lives. As we are constantly responding to changes in our environment, we need motivation to take corrective action in the face of fluctuating circumstances. Motivation is a vital resource that allows us to adapt, function productively, and maintain wellbeing in the face of a constantly changing stream of opportunities and threats.

I have learned from my mistakes, and I am sure I can repeat them exactly.

There are many health benefits of increased motivation. Motivation as a psychological state is linked to our physiology. When our motivation is depleted, our functioning and wellbeing suffer.

Some studies show that when we feel helpless in exerting control for example, we tend to give up quickly when challenged (Peterson, Maier, & Seligman, 1993). Others have proven than when we find ourselves coerced, we lose access to our inner motivational resources (Deci, 1995).

High-quality motivation allows us to thrive, while its deficit causes us to flounder. Societal benefits of increased motivation are visible in greater student engagement, better job satisfaction in employees, flourishing relationships, and institutions.

But unhealthy fluctuations in motivation also explain addiction, gambling, risk-taking, and excessive internet usage. The motivation that underlies addictive behaviors shares the neurological underpinning associated with dopamine centric rewards system and tricky inner working of the pleasure cycle.

This makes it challenging and often difficult to change behavior in situations involving addiction. See our article on Motivational Interviewing to learn more about the stages of change and motivational interviewing techniques practitioners use to motivate clients to change unwanted behaviors.

The distinction between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation goes back to Deci and Ryan’s (2008) Self-Determination Theory of motivation.

Extrinsic motivation involves engaging in an activity because it leads to a tangible reward or avoids punishment.

Intrinsic motivation involves doing something because it is both interesting and deeply satisfying. We perform such activities for the positive feelings they create. Studies have consistently shown that intrinsic motivation leads to increased persistence, greater psychological wellbeing, and enhanced performance.

Deci and Ryan (2008) assume that humans are naturally self-motivated, curious, and interested, but the right conditions must be in place to be intrinsically motivated.

The three basic and universal psychological needs of autonomy, relatedness, and competence are foundational for human flourishing and optimal motivation, according to Susan Fowler (2019).

Satisfying the need for autonomy, relatedness, and competence leads to engaged, passionate individuals doing high-quality work in any domain. Therefore, we share tips and ideas for building the ideal working environment to promote intrinsic motivation.

Is any source of motivation more potent or more effective in motivating people than the other? Are people primarily motivated by internal motives or by external rewards, or are people driven equally by internal and external triggers?

Human motives are complex, and as social creatures, we are embedded into our environment, and social groups are often an important source of influence through the presence of rewards and considerations of potential consequences of our choices on those around us.

Self-Determination Theory (SDT) explains how external events like rewards or praise sometimes produce positive effects on motivation, but at other times can be quite detrimental (Ryan & Deci, 2008). The hidden cost of certain types of rewards is that they undermine intrinsic motivation by decreasing the sense of autonomy and competence.

There is a tradeoff between satisfying and undermining the need for competence when we offer rewards (Reeve, 2018). This form of extrinsic motivation also can undermine our sense of autonomy since rewards are used for both purposes: to control behavior and to affirm someone of their level of competence. We want to reward in a way that encourages competence without threatening the sense of autonomy.

My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition.

Indira Gandhi

Rewards should be reserved for activities that are not interesting and should be given when not expected. Praise is preferable to monetary rewards, for example, as it supports psychological needs and is of more lasting value (Reeve, 2018).

Similarly to rewards, imposed goals were found to narrow focus and impair creativity. Studies show that imposed goal setting increases unethical behavior and risk-taking, narrows focus, and decreases cooperation, intrinsic motivation, and creativity. This is an excellent example of goals gone wild (Pink, 2009).

Much of contemporary research shows that intrinsic motivation is more effective more often and of more enduring value. In some circumstances, however, extrinsic motivation may be more appropriate, as in the case of uninteresting activities.

It is also possible to make use of incentives more effective by encouraging people to identify with it and integrate it into their sense of self (Reeve, 2018). To give an example of identifying and integrating extrinsic motives respectively would be like describing the difference between saying: “ I do this because it’s the right thing to do ” versus “ I do this because I am a good person. ”

Download 3 Free Goals Exercises (PDF)

These detailed, science-based exercises will help you or your clients create actionable goals and master techniques for lasting behavior change.

Download 3 Free Goals Pack (PDF)

By filling out your name and email address below.

• Email Address *
• Your Expertise * Your expertise Therapy Coaching Education Counseling Business Healthcare Other
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Intrinsic motivation is inherent in the activities we perform for pure enjoyment or satisfaction. We engage in intrinsically motivated behavior because we want to experience the activity for its own sake. Unlike extrinsically motivated behavior, it is freely chosen (Deci, & Ryan, 1985).

Intrinsic motivation can be driven by curiosity, which is linked to a desire to know and motivates us to learn and explore our environment for answers (Loewenstein, 1994). Intrinsic motivation can also come from the need to actively interact and control our environment. The effectance motivation theory explains how intrinsic motivation drives us to develop competence (White, 1959).

Finally, Allport’s concept of the functional autonomy of motives explains how behavior originally performed for extrinsic reasons can become something to perform for its own sake (1937).

Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.

William Jennings Bryan

When it comes to intrinsic motivation, it is important to distinguish between activities that are intrinsically motivating and the development of what Csikszentmihalyi calls autotelic self (1975, 1988). The term autotelic is derived from the Greek word auto, which means self and telos meaning goal.

Intrinsic activities are self-contained because performing them is a reward in itself. The autotelic experience produced by an intrinsic activity makes us pay attention to what we are engaged in for its own sake and away from consequences. When the experience is intrinsically rewarding, life is justified in the present and not tied to some hypothetical future gain.

The most important characteristic of the autotelic experience is its intrinsically motivated nature. Professor Csíkszentmihályi, who coined the terms flow, defined this optimal experience as a pursuit of enjoyable, interesting activities for the sake of the experience itself, where the satisfaction derived from the action itself is the motivational factor (1990).

An autotelic self actively seeks out intrinsically motivating activities. A person who is said to have an autotelic personality values opportunities where she or he can experience complete absorption in the tasks at hand. They transform the self by making it more complex. A complex self has these five characteristics:

• Clarity of goals
• Self as the center of control
• Choice and knowing that life is not happening to you
• Commitment and care for what you are doing
• Challenge and increased craving for novelty (Csikszentmihalyi, 1975, 1988).

Autotelic self, according to Csikszentmihalyi, tends to create order out of chaos because it sees a tragedy as an opportunity to rise to the occasion and tends to focus all the psychic energy on overcoming the challenge created by the defeat (1990). Cultivating autotelic personality is, therefore, a worthwhile endeavor as it breeds resilience.

Falko and Engeser, in their recent study on motivation and flow, used the term activity related motivation as a substitute for intrinsic motivation to speak more specifically to the “Extended Cognitive Model of Motivation” (2018).

They measured various activity-related incentives in qualitative and quantitative ways and found the experience of flow to represent one of the most intensely studied. Positive incentives stemming from learning goal orientation, experience of competence, interest, and involvement lead to us engaging in activities purely for the enjoyment of it (Falko & Engeser, 2018).

Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind.

Seneca, 4 B.C.–A.D. 65

Professor Mihaly Csíkszentmihályi, who developed the theory of flow, argues that happiness depends on inner harmony, not on the control we can exert over our environment or circumstances, and therefore describes flow as an optimal state of being that brings order to consciousness.

He discovered, in his years of research into creativity and productivity and interviews with people who were deemed successful in a wide range of professions and many of whom were Nobel Prize winners, that the secret to their optimal performance was their ability to enter the flow state frequently and deliberately.

They would describe feeling a sense of competence and control, a loss of self-consciousness, and such intense absorption in the task at hand that they would lose track of time.

Many of the most accomplished and creative people are at their peak when they experience “ a unified flowing from one moment to the next, in which we feel in control of our actions, and in which there is little distinction between self and environment; between stimulus and response; or between past, present, and future ” (Csíkszentmihályi, 1997, p. 37).

The contemporary research on motivation shows that intrinsic motivation that originates from internal motives is often experienced as more immediate and potent than extrinsic motivation.

Today we know that intrinsic motivation affects the quality of behavior more, such as school work, while extrinsic motivation influences the quantity of behavior more (Deckers, 2014).

It has also been shown that intrinsically motivated goal pursuit has greater long-term outcomes because it satisfies our psychological needs for autonomy and competence, and in turn, creates more positive states which reinforce the positive feedback loop and increase the likelihood of repetition (Reeve, 2018).

World’s Largest Positive Psychology Resource

The Positive Psychology Toolkit© is a groundbreaking practitioner resource containing over 500 science-based exercises , activities, interventions, questionnaires, and assessments created by experts using the latest positive psychology research.

Updated monthly. 100% Science-based.

“The best positive psychology resource out there!” — Emiliya Zhivotovskaya , Flourishing Center CEO

Self-motivation

No one knows more about self-motivation that the authors of self-determination theory . Based on the assumption that we have an innate tendency for personal growth toward psychological integration, the self-determination theory of Ryan and Deci proposed that all behavior can be understood as lying along a continuum of external regulation, or heteronomy and true self-regulation, or autonomy (2008).

Ryan and Deci distinguish varying degrees of external motivation based on the level of autonomy present while engaging in the desired behavior. On one end, there is the external regulation of behavior where rewards are used purely to control behavior, and compliance occurs to avoid consequences and is defined as one where there is no autonomy present.

They explain that while external regulation, as in the form of rewards, can control behavior, it does not constitute motivation per se.

In all human affairs there is always an end in view—of pleasure, or honor, or advantage.

Polybius, 125 B.C

We can also be motivated by the avoidance of guilt and by the need to build self-esteem. This form of self-regulation of behavior is characterized by low autonomy and a language of “ I should ” and “ I have to .”

When we are motivated by the contingencies related to our self-esteem and impose pressures on ourselves for fear of shame or failure, we are said to have introjected regulation. This form of regulation, while more effective than external motivation, remains ambivalent and unstable because it is accompanied by inner conflict, tension, and negative emotions (Ryan & Deci, 2008).

These are closely related to what is known in wellbeing research as prevention focus orientation, where emotional regulation is driven by security needs and avoidance (Kahneman, Diner, & Schwartz, 1999).

When we consciously accept behavior as important, and when we truly value the outcome, this provides strong incentives and leads to identification. This more self-determined form of regulation is particularly important when it comes to the maintenance of behaviors that involve activities that are not inherently interesting or enjoyable.

When we identify with the regulation AND coordinate with other core values and believes, we are said to have the most autonomous form of extrinsic motivation – integrated regulation. This form of regulation occurs when those values become a part of the self and become congruent with one’s sense of identity.

That leads to the most positive and enduring outcomes of external motivation because a person has archived full autonomy (Reeve, 2018).

This form of regulation is very much like intrinsic motivation because we engage in the behavior willingly. It is entirely self-determined, but unlike intrinsic motivation, it does not have to involve activities that are enjoyable or interesting. This is particularly important to behavioral change in clinical settings where the level of internalization and integration for non-intrinsically motivated behavior is required.

It is never too late to be what you might have been.

George Eliot

When it comes to self-motivation in behavioral change, the autonomy versus control orientation can also play a role in maintaining behavioral change over time. Autonomy-oriented individuals generally succeed in maintaining their long-term changes in behavior (e.g., weight loss, smoking cessation), whereas control-oriented individuals generally fail to maintain such behavior change over time.

Autonomy causality orientation is closely linked to prevention focus orientation, where emotional regulation is driven by the possibility of positive outcomes and approach motivation (Kahneman, Diner, & Schwartz, 1999).

Autonomy-oriented individuals see everything in their environment and their responses to it as a matter of their own choice, and this perspective can be empowering and a great source of intrinsic motivation.

They tend to scan their environment for opportunities, they take initiative, set their own goals, and they take an equal interest in their environment as well as their own inner experience. They have an internal locus of control and behave with a strong sense of volition. They understand that their focus determines their reality, and they have a sense of shaping their destiny (Reeve, 2018).

Autonomy causality orientation characterizes individuals with a specific mindset where they rely on internal guides to regulate behavior in contrast to those who are control-oriented and attend to external guides like social queues and environmental incentives — this locus of control effects motivation and perseverance.

When we feel our behavior is something we initiate and regulate, we can make and sustain changes. This is in contrast to those, who at the other end of the spectrum, take on the victim of circumstances mentality (Reeve, 2018).

See our blog post 19 Best Books on Self-Discipline and Self-Control .

Everybody Knows: You can’t be all things to all people. You can’t do all things at once. You can’t do all things equally well. You can’t do all things better than everyone else. Your humanity is showing just like everyone else’s.

So: You have to find out who you are, and be that. You have to decide what comes first, and do that. You have to discover your strengths, and use them. You have to learn not to compete with others, Because no one else is in the contest of *being you*.

Then: You will have learned to accept your own uniqueness. You will have learned to set priorities and make decisions. You will have learned to live with your limitations. You will have learned to give yourself the respect that is due. And you’ll be a most vital mortal.

Dare To Believe: That you are a wonderful, unique person. That you are a once-in-all-history event. That it’s more than a right, it’s your duty, to be who you are. That life is not a problem to solve, but a gift to cherish. And you’ll be able to stay one up on what used to get you down.

17 Tools To Increase Motivation and Goal Achievement

These 17 Motivation & Goal Achievement Exercises [PDF] contain all you need to help others set meaningful goals, increase self-drive, and experience greater accomplishment and life satisfaction.

Created by Experts. 100% Science-based.

There are dozens of motivational videos and channels on YouTube, but unfortunately we could not list them all. Instead, we picked a few we see as top motivational videos.

In order to achieve great things, you must first believe in yourself and then have a dream big enough to motivate you.

2. The Last Lecture

Even if faced with terminal cancer, it’s possible to find and celebrate the joy in your life.

3. Remember Me

When all is said and done, being human, exactly who you are, is more amazing than all the technology in the world.

Don’t let yourself be hypnotized by technology. Be in the moment and experience the wonder of direct connections.

5. Why We Do What We Do

If you understand why you’re motivated and inspired, it’s easier to become motivated and inspired. Tony Robbins explains it all.

6. Amazing Grace

The classic spiritual hymn rendered a cappella by the amazing and always creative Jesse Campbell.

7. Never Quit

Regardless of the obstacles that life throws your way, if you continue to pursue your dreams you will get results.

8. The Surprising Science of Happiness

Dan Gilbert challenges the idea that we’ll be miserable if we don’t get what we want and explains how to feel truly happy even when things don’t go as planned.

9. Unbroken

Dedication to your goals keeps you moving forward, even if you encounter obstacles.

10. How Bad Do You Want It?

Sometimes it’s just a matter of wanting success so badly that you’ll do whatever it takes to win.

11. Excuses

Even if you’ve got an uphill battle to fight, you keep fighting. Because if you just give up, you’ve lost.

Context matters, and it is not a question of which type of motivation is more important, but instead, awareness of where we lack the necessary balance to create the ideal catalyst for goal achievement.

The significant problems of today cannot be solved at the same level of thinking that created them.

Albert Einstein

External events can become prompts for the desired behavior and can help to reinforce it, but to notice those we need to be in positive mental and emotional states, away from the sense of learned helplessness, as defined by Dr. Martin Seligman .

Often our goals must also represent something of value to us and satisfy our psychological needs as defined by Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory, especially to create the energy necessary to persist (Reeve, 2018).

Do you have a story of your ideal catalyst for goal pursuit? Share it with us here.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Goal Achievement Exercises for free .

• Beck, R. C. (2004). Motivation: Theories and principles (5th ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
• Csíkszentmihályi, M. (1997). Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life . New York, NY: Basic Books.
• Deci, E. L., Olafsen, A. H., & Ryan, R. M. (2017). Self-determination theory in work organizations: State of the science . Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior.
• Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2008). Self-determination theory: A macrotheory of human motivation, development, and health.  Canadian psychology/Psychologie canadienne, 49(3) , 182.
• Deckers, L. (2014). Motivation: Biological, psychological, and environmental (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
• DeCatanzaro, D. A. (1999). Motivation and emotion: Evolutionary, physiological, developmental, and social perspectives . Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.
• Edwards, D. C. (1999). Motivation and emotion: Evolutionary, physiological, cognitive, and social influences . Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA.
• Ferguson, E. D. (2000). Motivation: A biosocial and cognitive integration of motivation and emotion . Oxford University Press, New York.
• Fowler, S. (2019). Master your motivation: Three scientific truths for achieving your goals. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
• Franken, R. E. (2006). Human motivation (6th ed.). Wadsworth Thomson Learning, Belmont, CA.
• Gallwey, W. T., Hanzelik, E., & Horton, J. (2009). The Inner Game of Stress: Outsmart Life’s Challenges and Fulfill Your Potential [Kindle iOS version]. Retrieved from Amazon.com
• Gollwitzer, P. M. & Bargh, J. A. (1996). The psychology of action: Linking cognition and motivation to behavior . Guilford Press, New York/
• Gorman (*). Motivation and emotion
• Heckhausen, J. & Dweck, C. S. (1998). Motivation and self-regulation across the life span . Cambridge University Press, New York.
• Kahneman, D., Diener, E., & Schwartz, N. (1999). Well-Being: Foundations of Hedonic Psychology . New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation.
• Nunez, R. & Freeman, W. J. (1999). Reclaiming cognition: The primacy of action, intention, and emotion . Imprint Academic, Thorverton, UK.
• Peterson, C., Maier, S. F., & Seligman, M. E. P. (1993). Learned Helplessness: A Theory for the Age of Personal Control . New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
• Petri, H. L., & Govern, J. M. (2013). Motivation: Theory, research, and applications (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.
• Reeve, J. (2015). Understanding motivation and emotion (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
• Sansone, C. & Harackiewicz, J. M. (2000). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation: The search for optimal motivation and performance . Academic Press, San Diego, CA.
• Sheldon, K. M. (Ed.) (2010). Current directions in motivation and emotion . Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
• Wagner, H. (1999). The psychobiology of human motivation . Routledge, New York.

Share this article:

Article feedback

What our readers think.

this is very interesting

The article is well-thought! I appreciate the content which has nourished me a lot. Good bless that intelligence!

I am in absolute awe – fantastic culmination of fields of study to deliver a hard punching, thought provoking article👌Inspiring!

Good article. Keep it up!

Greetings! Great explanation i learned about the meaning of motivation wonderful words. Regards mentor.

Excellent description or explanation or importance of motivation thanks beata spider love you from Kashmir…

This is great!!! Thanks!!!

Everyone needs motivation, the way you explained the benefits of motivation is great. Nicely written and well explained. Good work.

This collection of videos is immensely valuable! I was glad to be reminded of the power of the autotelic self. As I deliver my lectures from home this week, the topic of resilience in the face of adversity has been a continuous theme in our discussions. How timely to receive this wonderful resource, thank you Beata. 🙂

Good stuff. Keep me posted.

Let us know your thoughts Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related articles

How to Encourage Clients to Embrace Change

Many of us struggle with change, especially when it’s imposed upon us rather than chosen. Yet despite its inevitability, without it, there would be no [...]

Victor Vroom’s Expectancy Theory of Motivation

Motivation is vital to beginning and maintaining healthy behavior in the workplace, education, and beyond, and it drives us toward our desired outcomes (Zajda, 2023). [...]

SMART Goals, HARD Goals, PACT, or OKRs: What Works?

Goal setting is vital in business, education, and performance environments such as sports, yet it is also a key component of many coaching and counseling [...]

Read other articles by their category

• Body & Brain (52)
• Coaching & Application (39)
• Compassion (23)
• Counseling (40)
• Emotional Intelligence (22)
• Gratitude (18)
• Grief & Bereavement (18)
• Happiness & SWB (40)
• Meaning & Values (26)
• Meditation (16)
• Mindfulness (40)
• Motivation & Goals (41)
• Optimism & Mindset (29)
• Positive CBT (28)
• Positive Communication (23)
• Positive Education (37)
• Positive Emotions (32)
• Positive Leadership (16)
• Positive Parenting (14)
• Positive Psychology (21)
• Positive Workplace (35)
• Productivity (16)
• Relationships (46)
• Resilience & Coping (39)
• Self Awareness (20)
• Self Esteem (37)
• Strengths & Virtues (29)
• Stress & Burnout Prevention (33)
• Theory & Books (42)
• Therapy Exercises (37)
• Types of Therapy (54)

3 Goal Achievement Exercises Pack

Don't waste your time. I have already found the best essay company and agreed on a 15% discount on the first order. Enjoy!

9 Tips for Writing a Brilliant Motivational Essay

Whether you are a high school student caught in the crossroads of your educational journey or an undergraduate debating on a graduate degree, several steps must be taken, from choosing a college or master’s program to applying for your dream job.

On the other hand, choosing is the easy part; getting into the college of your choice is a different story. Most colleges and universities require students to have excellent grades and write a motivational essay describing why they want to pursue his\her desired major at their university.

Writing college motivational essays is a required part of any educational institution’s application process. Then again, some employers require job applicants to submit inspirational articles along with their resumes.

A motivational statement allows you to show off a little more of your personality and explain why you are qualified for the university course or job position in question. This is an opportunity to stand out and demonstrate your integrity and your ability to turn your knowledge into a successful career.

This article will teach you how to write a motivational essay that will help you get into your dream university or land your dream job.

Table of Contents

9 Tips to Write a Motivational Letter

There are a few things to keep in mind when writing inspirational statements to help you write a good paper. Many students struggle to find the motivation to write an article or are simply stumped when asked “What motivates you in life?”. Motivational papers are not as complicated as you may believe. To write a perfect inspiration paper, use the following tips:

1. Research the Institution to which you are applying

It is not in your best interest to simply copy and paste motivational essay examples or templates from the internet. The first step is to learn how merit-based admissions work at your preferred college. If you already have outstanding grades, you have to figure out what other aspects of your life could boost those grades.

Many universities, for example, seek students who have good grades, participate in extracurricular activities, have some volunteer experience, and are involved in social initiatives in school and their community.

Researching your preferred university will assist you in writing a tailored inspirational essay that will showcase all of your personality and goals. It’ll also broadcast how your social and volunteer work will continue to be a factor when you get into the university. Knowing about the university and including that information in your inspirational paper will be a breath of fresh air for the reader. It will give them the impression that you are confident in your decision.

Be sure to sprinkle some positivity and determination in your motivational statement.

2.  Be Creative

I know this may seem obvious to most people but it is still critical. The first two or three sentences of your motivational letter are crucial to the reader. Remember that the person reading your inspirational statement has most likely read thousands of others before it. Keeping the reader’s attention early on will thus benefit you.

Assume your college motivation letter isn’t exciting and doesn’t hook the reader from the first sentence. The reader is likely to close the letter and decline your application at that point.

You want the first paragraph of your motivation essay to keep them guessing and interested in reading until the end. You can include a mysterious story about your motivations and leave the culmination until the end.

3. Get Personal in your Motivational Essay

Make your motivation letter specific to the employer or university to which you are applying. Your letter should reflect your distinct style and personality. Your employers or university are interested in getting to know you better and no one knows you better than yourself. So, don’t just look up some motivational essay examples and use them as your own. The inspiration article should include the things that make you tick, your passions, and more!

Many students prefer to entrust the writing of motivational letters to a professional writing service. However, I can assure you that this is a bad option because you should write the motivation essay yourself.

4. Adopt a Straightforward and Succinct Tone

The objective of a letter of motivation, as the name implies, is to demonstrate your motivation for attending college to the school board or the reasons why you deserve a job to an HR manager who will read it. Avoid using long phrases and, instead, get right to the point. Explain in simple terms what you’re looking for and what you have to offer. Concentrate on what is vital; the rest will be addressed later.

5. Clearly Explain your Motivation

Make it a point to convince the school board or recruiter that this is the right college or job for you. Hit the nail on the head as many times as possible. Demonstrate that this is, without a doubt, the best place for you. Make use of all of your persuasion skills.

If you’re a student who can’t seem to motivate yourself to write the letter, think of it more as your motivation for earning a degree paper. This way of thinking will make you come up with points that are straightforward for your motivational letter.

If you’re writing an inspirational paper to apply for a job position, make sure it includes all of the qualities listed in the job description. Explain how each of the qualities relates to you.

6. Share your Professional Goals

In your inspirational essay, don’t be afraid to put yourself in the future. Outline your career goals and how the university or job offer is a step in the right direction. Also, talk about what you’ve accomplished and what you’re proud of.

7. Find The Right Balance

Of course, you must present yourself in the best possible light and persuade the recruiter that you are the right person for the job but don’t be too smug. At the same time, don’t undervalue yourself or appear overly modest. Try to summarize your accomplishments but avoid bragging about them. Please keep it simple; don’t fill the entire page with your achievements; instead, choose the ones that are relevant to the university or job requirements.

8. Back up what you’re saying

Simply stating that you are organized or that you have a sense of responsibility is not enough. Avoid overused phrases and explain why you’re organized. In your inspirational letter, provide some examples. When writing your motivational paper, one approach is to write as if you were a narrator. Narrating allows you to see yourself through the eyes of another person, telling the story of your life and goals.

9. Ensure that your Essay is Grammatically Sound 

When it comes to writing motivational letters, grammar errors are a no-no. So, double-check and have someone else read your inspirational paper because they may spot grammatical errors that you’ve missed. Also, it would be best if you avoided abbreviations and technical jargon. Do not try to sound like you’re writing a school assignment; instead, use the most elegant yet straightforward language and tone to make your point.

Don’t make writing a motivational statement more difficult than it should be. Focus on the essential things and let the rest go. Keep in mind that the college or company is curious to learn more about you. So, stay relaxed and make use of the tips we have mentioned above and you will be on your way to a brilliant motivation letter.  For more information on college writing tips and essay writing services, check other articles on Essay Advisor .

• Is There a Chance to be Expelled From College If You Buy Essays Online
• How Companies Providing Writing Essay Services Will Look in the Future?
• 10 Criteria to Select a Pro Essay Writing Service Online
• Six Obvious Mistakes Essay Writing Service Users Make
• A List of Useful Homework Help Websites for College Students
• How to Check If an Essay Writing Service is Trustworthy or Not?

Related Posts

• Difference Between American And Australian Education Systems
• Useful Tips That Will Help Students Get Plagiarism Free Essay When Using Writing Services
• What is the Best Reddit Essay Writing Service?
• Top 4 Key Stages to Solve Physics Homework
• 5 Reasons for Why Essay Writing Services Are Legal
• Are Essay Writing Services Ethical? [2021]

Some Lessons I’ve Learned From Reflecting On Life In 150 Essays

As I look back over my last 149 essays, I see memories, heartbreaks, and joys, all poured into my essays of size 12 font. I see times I was feeling high on life, and simultaneously, times I was struggling and felt as though I was stuck in the dark.. But even more than a simple timeline of moments and checkpoints, I see someone trying desperately to make sense of a messy world full of complicated emotions. I see someone a little bit lost at times, a little bit curious, and also a bit hopeful – someone just trying her best to seek meaning, inspiration, and above all, healing. 

It is an understatement to say that writing has been therapeutic for me. When I have felt lonely, or afraid, or let down, I have often sought comfort in writing. Words have been magical – they have been a way to gain a new perspective on my life and on the lives of all of the people around me. Writing has unfailingly encouraged me to look twice at life – to examine what lies beneath the surface, rather than accepting things at face value. 

And when I look back at all of these thoughts I have spilled across the white pages of my MacBook, I see many themes that seem to pop into my life over and over again, with each passing year. These themes are mainly lessons – those that I have learned, and those that I am still learning (or relearning).  Looking over my writing, I can’t help but notice how as human beings, we are constantly learning. We never seem to stop changing, growing, or healing.  

While I do not have all of the answers (or any answers with certainty), I do hope that some of the thoughts I have gathered and the lessons I have learned through examining the world through words may resonate with you as well. I hope they can bring you some comfort or reassurance in the midst of the mountains and valleys of your own life. 

1. It can feel comforting to seek home in nostalgia – to live in our memories, to replay them over and over again, like little film strips that continue to roll on. But at some point, we have to remember that life is still happening and the earth is still spinning, right here, right now. At some point, we have to be here for ourselves and for our hearts in the present. We have to be brave enough to hope that the present and the future will be just as good, if not better, than the old memories we are living in.

2. I’m learning that joy doesn’t necessarily mean the absence of sadness, and grief doesn’t necessarily imply the absence of joy. Though we often want to choose an either o r, life is not quite as binary as we make it out to be.

3. I’m realizing that being at peace with life doesn’t mean that everything is perfect, or that we don’t have any troubles or tribulations or low energy nagging at our hearts. Being at peace doesn’t mean that life is wonderful, or that we aren’t stressed, or facing anxiety. More so, being at peace means finding some form of “okayness” amidst all of the parts of life that are not (yet) “okay.” It means sitting amidst the chaos and making the conscious decision to remain calm. To be okay. Ultimately, finding peace means acknowledging the storm and coexisting with it, rather than sitting in the eye of the tornado.

4. It’s the hardest lesson in the world, but sometimes, the best thing we can do is let them go. Sometimes we have to say goodbye to someone good and wait patiently for someone better. 

5. Something odd about life is that the right choices don’t always feel right in our bodies. Sometimes, though difficult, we have to find the courage within us to pursue what we need, rather than what we want in the present. We have to take care of ourselves by honoring what we know is best for us in the long run. And oftentimes, in the present, it really does hurt a lot. The pain doesn’t mean the decision is wrong. Sometimes the best choices can leave us let down and hurt. But later on, we will be thankful.  

6. I don’t believe that everything happens for a reason. I don’t believe in fate. But I do believe that we can give meaning to some of our hardest most heartbreaking moments. We don’t need to build an identity that is rooted in our grief or in our trauma or pain, but if or when we want to, we can allow the healing process to bring out our best. We can grow new, fresh roots, and we can choose to define ourselves by how we rise back up again.

7. We can’t expect others to heal us – no one can love us so much that we automatically love ourselves. But maybe, when someone does love us, they can remind us what love feels like. They can help us to believe that we are loveable. And this can be the first step of loving ourselves – knowing that we deserve to be loved.

8. Grief is ugly and painful and devastating. Grief is dark swollen eyes and tear-stained cheeks. Grief hurts.  But we cannot deny the sheer beauty that grief holds. We cannot deny that grief is, in some ways, a gift. To grieve means that we are blessed enough to have loved and to have been loved by someone special – and this is remarkable. Grief means we are missing someone – someone who touched our lives in an irreplaceable way. And thus, I’d like to believe that the sadness and grief we endure when we lose someone close to us is simply the price we pay for loving them. And there’s something so dear and precious about this.

9. As hard as it is to hear, some people aren’t meant to stay in our lives forever. They are passerbys, like boats in the night. And though they may only stay for a short while, they stay safely in our hearts indefinitely.  Temporary people can leave permanent footprints.

10. Anxiety and overthinking do not change the situation. They only turn a gentle rain shower into a hurricane.

11. We can miss someone, but we can’t lose ourselves when we lose them. We can miss them, but we can’t let our lives be over when they are gone. Because we still have our lives to live. And we still have so much love left in us to give. 12. We don’t need a reason to have hope – we don’t need evidence or logic, as much as we think we do. We don’t even need to fully understand or grasp what hope is. We just have to find it in our hearts to believe that hope exists. We have to bravely decide to give in to hope, even when we can’t see it or touch it – even when we don’t know if it is there. When life is dark, we have to believe that there is something still worth living for around the corner. And this belief – this hope – this is what will help us move forward. 

13. It’s okay to find home in another person. It’s one of the sweetest, purest parts of life. But somewhere along the way, we must also find home within ourselves.

14. We know we are healing when we piece back together our broken parts and turn them into something greater than what we had before.

15. Perhaps, when someone doesn’t love us or doesn’t fight for us, it isn’t actually a reflection of us. Perhaps their inability to love us does not mean that we are unloveable, or hard to love. Maybe it means that they have been hurt one too many times before and that their walls are now built high of concrete and stone. Or maybe it means that they have been defeated by love one too many times – maybe love continues to let them down, time and time again. And maybe, even if they want to love us, they simply cannot. And we can keep trying and trying to knock down those walls. But perhaps when they don’t love us, the very best thing we can do is to hug them close, wish them the best, and then walk away.  Because even if they were special, we each deserve someone who is ready to let us in fully.

16. Most of the time, when we think we need closure from someone else, what we truly need is closure from ourselves – permission from ourselves to let things be. To accept the ending and to understand that it’s time to let the ending stay an ending. We must find the strength to seek peace and healing on our own. Healing is our responsibility, not the responsibility of the person who hurt us.

17. Sometimes growth is quiet and subtle and doesn’t look like growth. Sometimes growth is simply viewing a situation from a fresh perspective. Sometimes growth is trying something new, despite whether or not it ends up being a good experience. Sometimes growth just means making it through each day and noticing one small good thing about the world each night. Some seasons are for making leaps and bounds, while others are simply for surviving and just being. Both seasons are important. Both are needed. 

18. How do we know when we are healing? I think we know that we are coming close when we feel immense gratitude that something happened, rather than devastated by the fact that it ended. 

19. We don’t always need to find the silver lining. Sometimes really crappy, awful things happen, and there is much more bad than good in the world. Sometimes we go through devastating, heartbreaking experiences that don’t have a silver lining, and the idea of trying to find one only hurts us further. In these really rough moments, we don’t need to search for the light. But maybe, when we are ready, we can remind ourselves that there is still light in the world. Maybe there’s no shining light in our situation, but there is still goodness somewhere out there. And hopefully knowing this will help us make it to the other side

Perhaps the secret isn’t avoiding pain or numbing ourselves from pain, but rather, putting our energy into cultivating joy and peace. Perhaps when we value joy over pain, life becomes a little bit easier. 

Read more Wellness .

About the author

Colleen George

“there can be magic in the messes” @apeaceofwerk

More From Thought Catalog

4 Underrated Horror Movies To Watch This Spooky Season

8 Times Netflix Made Us Rethink Villains (For Better Or Worse)

5 Things I Miss The Most About Dating My Husband

If He Doesn’t Want You… Stop Working to Convince Him Otherwise

You Can’t Control Everything, But You Can Control Your Mindset

The 6 Most Iconic ‘Forrest Gump’ Moments

What Motivates You to Succeed in Life and Keep Moving Forward?

What motivates you to succeed in life? If you’re sitting there, perplexed, keep reading.

Let’s face it…we’ve all had moments in life when our motivation has been at an all-time low. Even the most motivated of people can feel unmotivated now and then. However, if you allow laziness to creep into your daily life, it will be nearly impossible to achieve anything in life.

The difference between successful people versus everyone else is that no matter what is going on around them, successful people always find the motivation and drive to keep going.

If motivation is so important, then why do so many people struggle with it, especially after they encounter defeat?

Here’s the stone-cold truth:

If you’re lacking in motivation right now to the point that it is keeping you stuck in life, the only person standing in your way is you .

Table of Contents

What is motivation, why is motivation important, what kind of motivation do you need, what can motivate you to succeed, how to find more motivation to succeed in life, final thoughts.

At its core, motivation is the reason why you act or behave in a certain way. It’s the driving force that pushes you to take action, in spite of your fear or lack thereof.

Psychologists define motivation as the process by which activities are started, directed, and sustained so that certain needs are met [1] .

These needs can be either psychological or physical. It’s important to point out that motivation looks different for everyone, depending on their needs and values. Moreover, levels of motivation can change in different phases of your life.

According to the research of Dr. Anders Ericsson, motivation is the most significant predictor of success [2] . It is the secret sauce that allows you to create your destiny.

By understanding why motivation is so important for success in life, you will feel more empowered to take action.

1. Gives You a Sense of Direction

If you aimlessly move through life with no direction, you won’t feel motivated to do much of anything. This is why it is so important that you have a clear understanding of what you want and why.

If you don’t know why you should do something, the likelihood of you actually taking action will be minimal.

Successful people create a vision and know what their purpose is, which ensures that they are pulled towards the achievement of their goals instead of pushed. As a result, motivation becomes effortless.

In the words of Margie Warrell, author of Brave ,

“Knowing your ‘why’ is an important first step in figuring out how to achieve the goals that excite you and create a life you enjoy living. Indeed, only when you know your ‘why’ will you find the courage to take the risks needed to get ahead, stay motivated when the chips are down, and move your life onto an entirely new, more challenging and more rewarding trajectory.”

2. Transforms Fear Into a Powerful Plan of Action

Fear is the #1 factor that prevents people from taking action in life, whether that’s fear of failure , fear of success , or fear of not being good enough.

What a lot of people don’t realize is that fear is something that is created in the mind. Hence, it’s an illusion. When you flex your motivation muscle, it slaps fear right in the face. It’s a way of saying, “I’m going to feel the fear and do it anyway.”

You can either let fear prevent you from moving towards your goals, or you can use it as a tool for motivation [3] . It’s your choice.

3. Helps You Bounce Forward From Setbacks

When life knocks you down (and it will), motivation is the fuel that will allow you to pick yourself up and keep going.

When life tries to convince you that the game is over, motivation will be in your corner, cheering you on and reminding you to not give up.

Life is a rollercoaster ride. You can either scream your way through the whole thing or strap yourself in and enjoy the ride. When you encounter a low moment, take it as an opportunity to unleash your inner strength.

A great exercise to help you remember why enduring through the tough times is worth the effort is to visualize what life would be like five years from now if you aborted your mission [4] . That will be motivation in and of itself to keep going.

Have you ever thought about what the driving force behind your motivation is? To answer this question, you can take the free assessment: What’s Your Motivation Style? and find out what kind of motivational factors work for you best. When you can identify your motivation style, you’ll be able to maximize its strengths and always stay motivated. Take the free assessment now! 

Also, you can look at the push vs. pull theory. Your motivation to do anything comes in two different forms: push or pull.

Push motivation is driven by a need to run from unwanted reality, while Pull motivation is a power that inspires you to attain successful results [5] .

When you push yourself to do something, it will naturally feel like you’re dragging yourself through life. You can only operate in this mode for so long before you run out of fuel.

This is why you need to access Pull motivation, which emerges from an intrinsic desire to do something that you love.

As you can probably predict, Pull motivation is what you want to strive towards. It is the product of taking action with the intention of bringing yourself one step closer to your desired destination.

is subjective, meaning that different people will be motivated by different things, depending on what their goals and values are. What will motivate you at work may be different from what motivates you at home.

Let’s explore a few common factors that motivate people to succeed.

Living With Purpose

I am a firm believer that lasting motivation is driven, in large part, by your purpose. When you find what it is that makes you come alive inside, motivation becomes a walk in the park.

This is otherwise referred to as internal motivation , meaning that your behavior is driven by internal rewards. Hence, you do something because it feels good for you, regardless of what other people think [6] .

If you have yet to find your purpose, don’t stop looking because it’s looking for you, too.

Committing to Self-Mastery

Some people devote their entire life to self-mastery and the sense of accomplishment it brings. 

Self-mastery is a process of becoming. It’s not an end goal.  Rather, it’s a life path motivated by the opportunity to be your best self.

In his book, Toward A Psychology of Being , Abraham Maslow talks about a powerful force within the human condition, which is a drive for growth. This force propels people forward towards wholeness of Self.

Growth always requires some level of risk because it asks that you step outside of your comfort zone.

I know how scary this can be, but I promise that you will never fail when you commit to self-mastery. When you master your mind, you master every area of your life.

Giving Back

Some people are motivated to give back to the world and help others. They have an innate desire to create an impact in the world.

As someone who helps people for a living, I can honestly say that there is nothing more rewarding than helping people achieve their fullest potential in life. As Winston Churchill once stated,

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

Research has shown that giving makes us far happier than receiving. Thus, in a way, we are actually being both selfish and selfless by giving to others [7] .

Now that you know what motivates people to achieve success in life, it’s time to identify what drives YOU.

1. Get Clear on Your Why

Some people are crystal clear about what their purpose is early on in life, while others take more time to define what that looks like. Where people get stuck is that they tirelessly search for their purpose in life, and when they don’t find it, they get discouraged and give up.

You’ve got to understand that your purpose isn’t something that you find. Rather, it finds you. Ask yourself, “What is it that I love to do?” You may find that a great answer is waiting for you.

Simon Sinek, author of Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Finding Purpose for You and Your Team explains,

“Once you understand your ‘WHY’, you’ll be able to clearly articulate what makes you feel fulfilled and to better understand what drives your behavior when you’re at your natural best.”

Once you are clear on your “why,” you need to take massive action. Do things that make you come alive inside, try, fail, try again, and see what sticks.

By committing to a purposeful life, everything will feel more effortless.

2. Find an Accountability Partner

An accountability partner is someone who keeps you on track so that you don’t lose momentum. A big reason why so many people struggle to stay committed to their goals is that they aren’t accountable to anyone other than themselves.

Research found that people are 65 percent more likely to meet a goal after committing to another person. Their chances of success increase to 95% when they build in on-going meetings with their partners to check-in on their progress [8] .

Find someone who has goals similar to you. Together, create a plan of attack so that each of you is inspiring the other to commit to specific actions.

3. Celebrate Your Small Wins

Whenever you achieve a small win, make sure that you reward yourself with something meaningful.

At the time, small wins may not seem like a big deal. However, by celebrating your progress , you are giving yourself mini doses of motivation that will encourage you to keep going.

When you accomplish something, the neurochemical dopamine is released into the brain. As a result, you feel energized with feel-good emotions, which, in turn, allows you to feel a sense of pride. [9] .

4. Create an Empowering Morning Ritual

When you take time every morning to nourish your mind, body, and spirit, you set yourself up to win throughout the day.

When you commit to a morning ritual every single day, over time you start to build a massive amount of motivation. The reason why this happens is that you are doing the work to flex your mental muscle.

Research shows that early risers are more successful, more proactive, better planners, and better at anticipating problems [10] .

Find habits that motivate YOU, whether that’s reading inspirational books, watching videos, reciting affirmations, or working out.

Get into a routine and make it stick: The Ultimate Morning Routine to Make You Happy And Productive All Day

There is no better time than now to motivate yourself! Take massive action and start creating the life of your wildest dreams.

Zig Ziglar said it best,

“Motivation is like bathing, you have to do it every day. Without motivation, you will never have the drive to take action, and without action, you can never reach your goals and live your dreams.”

If you can master motivation, I promise that there will be nothing that will hold you back from success in life.

Featured photo credit: Kevin Schmid via unsplash.com

How to Use a Planner Effectively

How to Be a Better Planner: Avoid the Planning Fallacy

5 Best Apps to Help You Delegate Tasks Easily

Delegating Leadership Style: What Is It & When To Use It?

The Fear of Delegating Work To Others

Why Is Delegation Important in Leadership?

7 Best Tools for Prioritizing Work

How to Deal with Competing Priorities Effectively

What Is the RICE Prioritization Model And How Does It Work?

4 Exercises to Improve Your Focus

What Is Chronic Procrastination and How To Deal with It

How to Snap Out of Procrastination With ADHD

Are Depression And Procrastination Connected?

Procrastination And Laziness: Their Differences & Connections

Bedtime Procrastination: Why You Do It And How To Break It

15 Books on Procrastination To Help You Start Taking Action

Productive Procrastination: Is It Good or Bad?

The Impact of Procrastination on Productivity

How to Cope With Anxiety-Induced Procrastination

How to Break the Perfectionism-Procrastination Loop

15 Work-Life Balance Books to Help You Take Control of Life

Work Life Balance for Women: What It Means & How to Find It

6 Essential Mindsets For Continuous Career Growth

How to Discover Your Next Career Move Amid the Great Resignation

The Key to Creating a Vibrant (And Magical Life) by Lee Cockerell

9 Tips on How To Disconnect From Work And Stay Present

Work-Life Integration vs Work-Life Balance: Is One Better Than the Other?

How To Practice Self-Advocacy in the Workplace (Go-to Guide)

How to Boost Your Focus And Attention Span

What Are Distractions in a Nutshell?

What Is Procrastination And How To End It

Prioritization — Using Your Time & Energy Effectively

Delegation — Leveraging Your Time & Resources

Your Guide to Effective Planning & Scheduling

The Ultimate Guide to Achieving Goals

How to Find Lasting Motivation

Complete Guide to Getting Back Your Energy

How to Have a Good Life Balance

Explore the time flow system.

About the Time Flow System

Key Philosophy I: Fluid Progress, Like Water

Key Philosophy II: Pragmatic Priorities

Key Philosophy III: Sustainable Momentum

Key Philosophy IV: Three Goal Focus

How the Time Flow System Works

Essay on My Inspiration In Life

Students are often asked to write an essay on My Inspiration In Life in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on My Inspiration In Life

My inspiration.

Everyone has someone who inspires them in life. For me, it’s my mother. She is strong, kind, and works hard every day. Her love and support give me the power to face challenges.

Lessons from Mom

My mom has taught me to be honest and to always do my best. She shows me that with patience and hard work, I can reach my goals. Watching her overcome difficulties with a smile is truly motivating.

Dreams and Goals

Because of my mom, I dream big and set goals. She encourages me to study and learn new things. Her belief in me makes me believe in myself, and that’s why she is my inspiration.

250 Words Essay on My Inspiration In Life

My guiding star.

In life, everyone has a source of motivation that pushes them to do better. For me, that source is my mother. She is my inspiration, showing me the power of love, hard work, and kindness every day. Her life story is like a book filled with lessons that guide me.

Strength in Tough Times

Love and kindness.

Her love for our family and others is endless. She cares for everyone, even people she doesn’t know well. This has taught me to be kind and to help others. I’ve learned that a small act of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s day.

Working Hard

My mother works very hard. She always says that if you want something, you need to work for it. She never waits for things to happen; she makes them happen. This has shown me the value of hard work and not to be afraid of trying new things.

My mother is the light that guides me. She has shown me how to face life with a brave heart, to be kind to everyone, and to work hard for my dreams. She is not just my mom; she’s my hero. I want to be like her as I grow up, spreading love and positivity wherever I go.

500 Words Essay on My Inspiration In Life

Who inspires me.

Everyone has someone who inspires them to be better, to reach higher, and to dream bigger. For me, that person is my grandmother. She is the light that guides me through my life’s journey. Her life story, the kindness she shows to everyone, and her never-give-up attitude are what make me want to become the best version of myself.

Grandmother’s Life Story

My grandmother grew up in a small village with very little. She didn’t have the chance to go to school for long because she had to work to help her family. But she loved to learn. She taught herself to read and write more by reading old newspapers and practicing every day. Even now, she tells me stories of those times and how important it is to keep learning, no matter what. When I think of her, I feel motivated to do well in school and to never stop being curious.

Kindness to Everyone

Never-give-up attitude.

Life has thrown many challenges at my grandmother. She has seen tough times, but she never lets them defeat her. She always finds a way to solve problems, and she never stops trying. When I face something hard in school or with friends, I remember her strength. It gives me the courage to keep going and not to quit, just like she never does.

Learning From Mistakes

My grandmother always says that mistakes are just another way to learn. She doesn’t get upset when something goes wrong. Instead, she looks for what can be learned from it. This has taught me not to be afraid of making mistakes. I know that when I mess up, it’s not the end of the world. It’s just a step in learning and getting better.

Looking to the Future

In conclusion, my grandmother is my inspiration in life. Her story, her kindness, her strength, and her wisdom light up the path I want to follow. She may not be famous or have done world-changing things, but to me, she is a hero. She makes me believe that I can achieve my dreams and be a good person along the way. Whenever I think of her, I am filled with hope and a desire to reach for the stars, just like she has always done.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Essay On Motivation

Motivation Essay

500+ words essay on motivation.

Motivation, the word itself, means positive vibes which push an individual to go through tough times. We all are unaware of what drives one to stay motivated. We have different sources, such as our role models, parents, teachers, etc. Everyone should have some infrequent motivation intervals to move forward in their life.

Meaning of Motivation

Motivation provides us with positive energy to achieve our goals and makes us feel optimistic and enthusiastic. It pushes us to perform our work specifically to get results. In our life, it gives us the energy to stay focused on our work. Every individual needs the motivation to achieve their dreams and aspirations. Human beings have numerous things to motivate themselves, such as encouragement from loved ones, friends, etc. Motivation from our parents makes us feel more confident about the path we pursue. It encourages us to believe in ourselves and make us stronger. Sometimes, we fail to achieve success, and at that phase, we require motivation. Once we get motivated, we start fresh with energy and hope.

Motivation comes with constant practice, meaning getting moved or inspired by someone that will help you achieve your goals. Everyone needs motivation, whether in a workplace, school, institution, etc.

Role of Motivation

Motivation comes with the right mindset irrespective of your goal, too big or long term. It helps us to move ahead mentally and physically. To keep ourselves motivated, we require a driving factor or tool and to become successful; we need to push our boundaries. Also, you need to come out of your comfort zone to reveal your true potential.

Types of Motivation

An individual might have various types of motivation, but in my opinion, motivation can be self-motivation and motivation by others.

Self-motivation: Self-motivation means keeping ourselves motivated without the influence of other people and situations. If you are self-motivated, you can complete the given task without guidance and encouragement.

Motivation by Others: People who lack self-motivation need help from others to keep themselves motivated. They need encouragement from others to maintain their state of motivation. These people also need to listen to motivational speeches for inspiration.

Sources of Motivation

The source of motivation can be anyone, either your school teachers or your parents, depending upon the situation.

From People: When it comes to our motivation, our mothers play an imperative role. Mothers selflessly motivate their children in every stage of life. According to research, it is found that when we communicate with our mothers, our brain releases oxytocin in a reasonable amount. It makes us feel good and motivated. Also, some people are well-known about our goal clearly, so they encourage us.

Famous Personalities: We also get inspiration from our favourite personalities like social workers, writers, political leaders, film stars, presidents, cricketers, etc. We want to become like the person we follow, which indirectly becomes our motivation.

Animals: Animals also motivate us, like dogs, which always make us happy. We can also take the example of an ant who keeps on falling but never gives up, so it teaches us that we should not feel unmotivated by our failure. Similarly, if we look at our surroundings, many animals motivate us.

Nature: The season is the best example when we talk about nature. The season keeps on changing, but we might not like every season, but still, we survive and understand its significance. Rivers also inspires and teaches us to face every problem of our life.

Books: They are one of the best sources of motivation. Many books have beautiful experiences shared with some captivating stories. Books are our best friends and the best motivators.

Conclusion of Motivation Essay

It is not only you who may feel low or sad. People meet different people and get motivated, like an energy drink. Always have your inspiration with you because it will help you achieve your goals. It is good to be optimistic because it helps us achieve our goals and adds peace to our lives.

From our BYJU’S website, students can learn CBSE Essays related to different topics. It will help students to get good marks in their upcoming exams.

Frequently Asked Questions on Motivation Essay

How important is self-motivation.

In today’s competitive world, motivating oneself constantly is necessary to move forward in life and career.

Do teachers play an important role in the ‘motivation factor’ of students?

Students spend maximum time in school, and thus, teachers are solely responsible (after parents) in motivating children towards the right goal.

How do students develop motivation?

Students can keep themselves motivated by setting realistic goals, making note of their progress, following timelines and rewarding themselves for their achievements.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.

• Search Menu

Sign in through your institution

• Browse content in Arts and Humanities
• Browse content in Archaeology
• Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Archaeology
• Archaeological Methodology and Techniques
• Archaeology by Region
• Archaeology of Religion
• Archaeology of Trade and Exchange
• Biblical Archaeology
• Contemporary and Public Archaeology
• Environmental Archaeology
• Historical Archaeology
• History and Theory of Archaeology
• Industrial Archaeology
• Landscape Archaeology
• Mortuary Archaeology
• Prehistoric Archaeology
• Underwater Archaeology
• Zooarchaeology
• Browse content in Architecture
• Architectural Structure and Design
• History of Architecture
• Residential and Domestic Buildings
• Theory of Architecture
• Browse content in Art
• Art Subjects and Themes
• History of Art
• Industrial and Commercial Art
• Theory of Art
• Biographical Studies
• Byzantine Studies
• Browse content in Classical Studies
• Classical History
• Classical Philosophy
• Classical Mythology
• Classical Numismatics
• Classical Literature
• Classical Reception
• Classical Art and Architecture
• Classical Oratory and Rhetoric
• Greek and Roman Papyrology
• Greek and Roman Epigraphy
• Greek and Roman Law
• Greek and Roman Archaeology
• Late Antiquity
• Religion in the Ancient World
• Social History
• Digital Humanities
• Browse content in History
• Colonialism and Imperialism
• Diplomatic History
• Environmental History
• Genealogy, Heraldry, Names, and Honours
• Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing
• Historical Geography
• History by Period
• History of Emotions
• History of Agriculture
• History of Education
• History of Gender and Sexuality
• Industrial History
• Intellectual History
• International History
• Labour History
• Legal and Constitutional History
• Local and Family History
• Maritime History
• Military History
• National Liberation and Post-Colonialism
• Oral History
• Political History
• Public History
• Regional and National History
• Revolutions and Rebellions
• Slavery and Abolition of Slavery
• Social and Cultural History
• Theory, Methods, and Historiography
• Urban History
• World History
• Browse content in Language Teaching and Learning
• Language Learning (Specific Skills)
• Language Teaching Theory and Methods
• Browse content in Linguistics
• Applied Linguistics
• Cognitive Linguistics
• Computational Linguistics
• Forensic Linguistics
• Grammar, Syntax and Morphology
• Historical and Diachronic Linguistics
• History of English
• Language Evolution
• Language Reference
• Language Acquisition
• Language Variation
• Language Families
• Lexicography
• Linguistic Anthropology
• Linguistic Theories
• Linguistic Typology
• Phonetics and Phonology
• Psycholinguistics
• Sociolinguistics
• Translation and Interpretation
• Writing Systems
• Browse content in Literature
• Bibliography
• Children's Literature Studies
• Literary Studies (Romanticism)
• Literary Studies (American)
• Literary Studies (Asian)
• Literary Studies (European)
• Literary Studies (Eco-criticism)
• Literary Studies (Modernism)
• Literary Studies - World
• Literary Studies (1500 to 1800)
• Literary Studies (19th Century)
• Literary Studies (20th Century onwards)
• Literary Studies (African American Literature)
• Literary Studies (British and Irish)
• Literary Studies (Early and Medieval)
• Literary Studies (Fiction, Novelists, and Prose Writers)
• Literary Studies (Gender Studies)
• Literary Studies (Graphic Novels)
• Literary Studies (History of the Book)
• Literary Studies (Plays and Playwrights)
• Literary Studies (Poetry and Poets)
• Literary Studies (Postcolonial Literature)
• Literary Studies (Queer Studies)
• Literary Studies (Science Fiction)
• Literary Studies (Travel Literature)
• Literary Studies (War Literature)
• Literary Studies (Women's Writing)
• Literary Theory and Cultural Studies
• Mythology and Folklore
• Shakespeare Studies and Criticism
• Browse content in Media Studies
• Browse content in Music
• Applied Music
• Dance and Music
• Ethics in Music
• Ethnomusicology
• Gender and Sexuality in Music
• Medicine and Music
• Music Cultures
• Music and Media
• Music and Religion
• Music and Culture
• Music Education and Pedagogy
• Music Theory and Analysis
• Musical Scores, Lyrics, and Libretti
• Musical Structures, Styles, and Techniques
• Musicology and Music History
• Performance Practice and Studies
• Race and Ethnicity in Music
• Sound Studies
• Browse content in Performing Arts
• Browse content in Philosophy
• Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art
• Epistemology
• Feminist Philosophy
• History of Western Philosophy
• Meta-Philosophy
• Metaphysics
• Moral Philosophy
• Non-Western Philosophy
• Philosophy of Language
• Philosophy of Mind
• Philosophy of Perception
• Philosophy of Science
• Philosophy of Action
• Philosophy of Law
• Philosophy of Religion
• Philosophy of Mathematics and Logic
• Practical Ethics
• Social and Political Philosophy
• Browse content in Religion
• Biblical Studies
• Christianity
• East Asian Religions
• History of Religion
• Judaism and Jewish Studies
• Qumran Studies
• Religion and Education
• Religion and Health
• Religion and Politics
• Religion and Science
• Religion and Law
• Religion and Art, Literature, and Music
• Religious Studies
• Browse content in Society and Culture
• Cookery, Food, and Drink
• Cultural Studies
• Customs and Traditions
• Ethical Issues and Debates
• Hobbies, Games, Arts and Crafts
• Natural world, Country Life, and Pets
• Popular Beliefs and Controversial Knowledge
• Sports and Outdoor Recreation
• Technology and Society
• Travel and Holiday
• Visual Culture
• Browse content in Law
• Arbitration
• Browse content in Company and Commercial Law
• Commercial Law
• Company Law
• Browse content in Comparative Law
• Systems of Law
• Competition Law
• Browse content in Constitutional and Administrative Law
• Government Powers
• Judicial Review
• Local Government Law
• Military and Defence Law
• Parliamentary and Legislative Practice
• Construction Law
• Contract Law
• Browse content in Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedure
• Criminal Evidence Law
• Sentencing and Punishment
• Employment and Labour Law
• Environment and Energy Law
• Browse content in Financial Law
• Banking Law
• Insolvency Law
• History of Law
• Human Rights and Immigration
• Intellectual Property Law
• Browse content in International Law
• Private International Law and Conflict of Laws
• Public International Law
• IT and Communications Law
• Jurisprudence and Philosophy of Law
• Law and Politics
• Law and Society
• Browse content in Legal System and Practice
• Courts and Procedure
• Legal Skills and Practice
• Legal System - Costs and Funding
• Primary Sources of Law
• Regulation of Legal Profession
• Medical and Healthcare Law
• Browse content in Policing
• Criminal Investigation and Detection
• Police and Security Services
• Police Procedure and Law
• Police Regional Planning
• Browse content in Property Law
• Personal Property Law
• Restitution
• Study and Revision
• Terrorism and National Security Law
• Browse content in Trusts Law
• Wills and Probate or Succession
• Browse content in Medicine and Health
• Browse content in Allied Health Professions
• Arts Therapies
• Clinical Science
• Dietetics and Nutrition
• Occupational Therapy
• Operating Department Practice
• Physiotherapy
• Radiography
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Browse content in Anaesthetics
• General Anaesthesia
• Clinical Neuroscience
• Browse content in Clinical Medicine
• Acute Medicine
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Clinical Genetics
• Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Dermatology
• Endocrinology and Diabetes
• Gastroenterology
• Genito-urinary Medicine
• Geriatric Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Toxicology
• Medical Oncology
• Pain Medicine
• Palliative Medicine
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonology
• Rheumatology
• Sleep Medicine
• Sports and Exercise Medicine
• Community Medical Services
• Critical Care
• Emergency Medicine
• Forensic Medicine
• Haematology
• History of Medicine
• Browse content in Medical Skills
• Clinical Skills
• Communication Skills
• Nursing Skills
• Surgical Skills
• Browse content in Medical Dentistry
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Paediatric Dentistry
• Restorative Dentistry and Orthodontics
• Surgical Dentistry
• Medical Ethics
• Medical Statistics and Methodology
• Browse content in Neurology
• Clinical Neurophysiology
• Neuropathology
• Nursing Studies
• Browse content in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Gynaecology
• Occupational Medicine
• Ophthalmology
• Otolaryngology (ENT)
• Browse content in Paediatrics
• Neonatology
• Browse content in Pathology
• Chemical Pathology
• Clinical Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics
• Histopathology
• Medical Microbiology and Virology
• Patient Education and Information
• Browse content in Pharmacology
• Psychopharmacology
• Browse content in Popular Health
• Caring for Others
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Self-help and Personal Development
• Browse content in Preclinical Medicine
• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Reproduction, Growth and Development
• Primary Care
• Professional Development in Medicine
• Browse content in Psychiatry
• Addiction Medicine
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Forensic Psychiatry
• Learning Disabilities
• Old Age Psychiatry
• Psychotherapy
• Browse content in Public Health and Epidemiology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Browse content in Radiology
• Clinical Radiology
• Interventional Radiology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiation Oncology
• Reproductive Medicine
• Browse content in Surgery
• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Gastro-intestinal and Colorectal Surgery
• General Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Paediatric Surgery
• Peri-operative Care
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Transplant Surgery
• Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery
• Vascular Surgery
• Browse content in Science and Mathematics
• Browse content in Biological Sciences
• Aquatic Biology
• Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Ecology and Conservation
• Evolutionary Biology
• Genetics and Genomics
• Microbiology
• Molecular and Cell Biology
• Natural History
• Plant Sciences and Forestry
• Research Methods in Life Sciences
• Structural Biology
• Systems Biology
• Zoology and Animal Sciences
• Browse content in Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Computational Chemistry
• Crystallography
• Environmental Chemistry
• Industrial Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Materials Chemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Mineralogy and Gems
• Organic Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Polymer Chemistry
• Study and Communication Skills in Chemistry
• Theoretical Chemistry
• Browse content in Computer Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Architecture and Logic Design
• Game Studies
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Mathematical Theory of Computation
• Programming Languages
• Software Engineering
• Systems Analysis and Design
• Virtual Reality
• Browse content in Computing
• Business Applications
• Computer Security
• Computer Games
• Computer Networking and Communications
• Digital Lifestyle
• Graphical and Digital Media Applications
• Operating Systems
• Browse content in Earth Sciences and Geography
• Atmospheric Sciences
• Environmental Geography
• Geology and the Lithosphere
• Maps and Map-making
• Meteorology and Climatology
• Oceanography and Hydrology
• Palaeontology
• Physical Geography and Topography
• Regional Geography
• Soil Science
• Urban Geography
• Browse content in Engineering and Technology
• Agriculture and Farming
• Biological Engineering
• Civil Engineering, Surveying, and Building
• Electronics and Communications Engineering
• Energy Technology
• Engineering (General)
• Environmental Science, Engineering, and Technology
• History of Engineering and Technology
• Mechanical Engineering and Materials
• Technology of Industrial Chemistry
• Transport Technology and Trades
• Browse content in Environmental Science
• Applied Ecology (Environmental Science)
• Conservation of the Environment (Environmental Science)
• Environmental Sustainability
• Environmentalist Thought and Ideology (Environmental Science)
• Management of Land and Natural Resources (Environmental Science)
• Natural Disasters (Environmental Science)
• Nuclear Issues (Environmental Science)
• Pollution and Threats to the Environment (Environmental Science)
• Social Impact of Environmental Issues (Environmental Science)
• History of Science and Technology
• Browse content in Materials Science
• Ceramics and Glasses
• Composite Materials
• Metals, Alloying, and Corrosion
• Nanotechnology
• Browse content in Mathematics
• Applied Mathematics
• Biomathematics and Statistics
• History of Mathematics
• Mathematical Education
• Mathematical Finance
• Mathematical Analysis
• Numerical and Computational Mathematics
• Probability and Statistics
• Pure Mathematics
• Browse content in Neuroscience
• Cognition and Behavioural Neuroscience
• Development of the Nervous System
• Disorders of the Nervous System
• History of Neuroscience
• Invertebrate Neurobiology
• Molecular and Cellular Systems
• Neuroendocrinology and Autonomic Nervous System
• Neuroscientific Techniques
• Sensory and Motor Systems
• Browse content in Physics
• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
• Biological and Medical Physics
• Classical Mechanics
• Computational Physics
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Electromagnetism, Optics, and Acoustics
• History of Physics
• Mathematical and Statistical Physics
• Measurement Science
• Nuclear Physics
• Particles and Fields
• Plasma Physics
• Quantum Physics
• Relativity and Gravitation
• Semiconductor and Mesoscopic Physics
• Browse content in Psychology
• Affective Sciences
• Clinical Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Criminal and Forensic Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Evolutionary Psychology
• Health Psychology
• History and Systems in Psychology
• Music Psychology
• Neuropsychology
• Organizational Psychology
• Psychological Assessment and Testing
• Psychology of Human-Technology Interaction
• Psychology Professional Development and Training
• Research Methods in Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Browse content in Social Sciences
• Browse content in Anthropology
• Anthropology of Religion
• Human Evolution
• Medical Anthropology
• Physical Anthropology
• Regional Anthropology
• Social and Cultural Anthropology
• Theory and Practice of Anthropology
• Browse content in Business and Management
• Business Ethics
• Business Strategy
• Business History
• Business and Technology
• Business and Government
• Business and the Environment
• Comparative Management
• Corporate Governance
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Entrepreneurship
• Health Management
• Human Resource Management
• Industrial and Employment Relations
• Industry Studies
• Information and Communication Technologies
• International Business
• Knowledge Management
• Management and Management Techniques
• Operations Management
• Organizational Theory and Behaviour
• Pensions and Pension Management
• Public and Nonprofit Management
• Social Issues in Business and Management
• Strategic Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Browse content in Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Criminal Justice
• Criminology
• Forms of Crime
• International and Comparative Criminology
• Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice
• Development Studies
• Browse content in Economics
• Agricultural, Environmental, and Natural Resource Economics
• Asian Economics
• Behavioural Finance
• Behavioural Economics and Neuroeconomics
• Econometrics and Mathematical Economics
• Economic History
• Economic Systems
• Economic Methodology
• Economic Development and Growth
• Financial Markets
• Financial Institutions and Services
• General Economics and Teaching
• Health, Education, and Welfare
• History of Economic Thought
• International Economics
• Labour and Demographic Economics
• Law and Economics
• Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics
• Microeconomics
• Public Economics
• Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics
• Welfare Economics
• Browse content in Education
• Adult Education and Continuous Learning
• Care and Counselling of Students
• Early Childhood and Elementary Education
• Educational Equipment and Technology
• Educational Strategies and Policy
• Higher and Further Education
• Organization and Management of Education
• Philosophy and Theory of Education
• Schools Studies
• Secondary Education
• Teaching of a Specific Subject
• Teaching of Specific Groups and Special Educational Needs
• Teaching Skills and Techniques
• Browse content in Environment
• Applied Ecology (Social Science)
• Climate Change
• Conservation of the Environment (Social Science)
• Environmentalist Thought and Ideology (Social Science)
• Management of Land and Natural Resources (Social Science)
• Natural Disasters (Environment)
• Pollution and Threats to the Environment (Social Science)
• Social Impact of Environmental Issues (Social Science)
• Sustainability
• Browse content in Human Geography
• Cultural Geography
• Economic Geography
• Political Geography
• Browse content in Interdisciplinary Studies
• Communication Studies
• Museums, Libraries, and Information Sciences
• Browse content in Politics
• African Politics
• Asian Politics
• Chinese Politics
• Comparative Politics
• Conflict Politics
• Elections and Electoral Studies
• Environmental Politics
• Ethnic Politics
• European Union
• Foreign Policy
• Gender and Politics
• Human Rights and Politics
• Indian Politics
• International Relations
• International Organization (Politics)
• Irish Politics
• Latin American Politics
• Middle Eastern Politics
• Political Behaviour
• Political Economy
• Political Institutions
• Political Methodology
• Political Communication
• Political Philosophy
• Political Sociology
• Political Theory
• Politics and Law
• Politics of Development
• Public Policy
• Public Administration
• Qualitative Political Methodology
• Quantitative Political Methodology
• Regional Political Studies
• Russian Politics
• Security Studies
• State and Local Government
• UK Politics
• US Politics
• Browse content in Regional and Area Studies
• African Studies
• Asian Studies
• East Asian Studies
• Japanese Studies
• Latin American Studies
• Middle Eastern Studies
• Native American Studies
• Scottish Studies
• Browse content in Research and Information
• Research Methods
• Browse content in Social Work
• Addictions and Substance Misuse
• Adoption and Fostering
• Care of the Elderly
• Child and Adolescent Social Work
• Couple and Family Social Work
• Direct Practice and Clinical Social Work
• Emergency Services
• Human Behaviour and the Social Environment
• International and Global Issues in Social Work
• Mental and Behavioural Health
• Social Justice and Human Rights
• Social Policy and Advocacy
• Social Work and Crime and Justice
• Social Work Macro Practice
• Social Work Practice Settings
• Social Work Research and Evidence-based Practice
• Welfare and Benefit Systems
• Browse content in Sociology
• Childhood Studies
• Community Development
• Comparative and Historical Sociology
• Disability Studies
• Economic Sociology
• Gender and Sexuality
• Gerontology and Ageing
• Health, Illness, and Medicine
• Marriage and the Family
• Migration Studies
• Occupations, Professions, and Work
• Organizations
• Population and Demography
• Race and Ethnicity
• Social Theory
• Social Movements and Social Change
• Social Research and Statistics
• Social Stratification, Inequality, and Mobility
• Sociology of Religion
• Sociology of Education
• Sport and Leisure
• Urban and Rural Studies
• Browse content in Warfare and Defence
• Defence Strategy, Planning, and Research
• Land Forces and Warfare
• Military Administration
• Military Life and Institutions
• Naval Forces and Warfare
• Other Warfare and Defence Issues
• Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
• Weapons and Equipment

• < Previous
• Next chapter >

Essay 1.1 What Is Motivation, Where Does It Come from, and How Does It Work?

• Published: January 2023
• Cite Icon Cite
• Permissions Icon Permissions

Motivation is the process that drives, selects, and directs goals and behaviors. Motivation typically arises out of the person’s needs, and it then comes to life through the person’s specific goals. In this essay, the authors examine the concept of “needs” as the crucible from which motivated behavior arises because all individuals are born with needs that jump-start the goal-oriented, motivated behaviors that are critical to survival and thriving. These are both physical needs (such as hunger and thirst) and psychological needs (such as the need for social relationships, optimal predictability, and competence). The aim of motivation is therefore to bring about a desired (need, goal) state. Motivation underlies and organizes all aspects of a person’s psychology. As it does so, motivation “glues” a person together as a functioning individual in their culture and context.

Personal account

• Sign in with email/username & password
• Get email alerts
• Save searches
• Purchase content
• Activate your purchase/trial code
• Add your ORCID iD

Institutional access

Sign in with a library card.

• Sign in with username/password
• Recommend to your librarian
• Institutional account management
• Get help with access

Access to content on Oxford Academic is often provided through institutional subscriptions and purchases. If you are a member of an institution with an active account, you may be able to access content in one of the following ways:

IP based access

Typically, access is provided across an institutional network to a range of IP addresses. This authentication occurs automatically, and it is not possible to sign out of an IP authenticated account.

Choose this option to get remote access when outside your institution. Shibboleth/Open Athens technology is used to provide single sign-on between your institution’s website and Oxford Academic.

• Click Sign in through your institution.
• Select your institution from the list provided, which will take you to your institution's website to sign in.
• When on the institution site, please use the credentials provided by your institution. Do not use an Oxford Academic personal account.
• Following successful sign in, you will be returned to Oxford Academic.

If your institution is not listed or you cannot sign in to your institution’s website, please contact your librarian or administrator.

Enter your library card number to sign in. If you cannot sign in, please contact your librarian.

Society Members

Society member access to a journal is achieved in one of the following ways:

Sign in through society site

Many societies offer single sign-on between the society website and Oxford Academic. If you see ‘Sign in through society site’ in the sign in pane within a journal:

• Click Sign in through society site.
• When on the society site, please use the credentials provided by that society. Do not use an Oxford Academic personal account.

If you do not have a society account or have forgotten your username or password, please contact your society.

Sign in using a personal account

Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members. See below.

A personal account can be used to get email alerts, save searches, purchase content, and activate subscriptions.

Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members.

Viewing your signed in accounts

Click the account icon in the top right to:

• View your signed in personal account and access account management features.
• View the institutional accounts that are providing access.

Signed in but can't access content

Oxford Academic is home to a wide variety of products. The institutional subscription may not cover the content that you are trying to access. If you believe you should have access to that content, please contact your librarian.

For librarians and administrators, your personal account also provides access to institutional account management. Here you will find options to view and activate subscriptions, manage institutional settings and access options, access usage statistics, and more.

Our books are available by subscription or purchase to libraries and institutions.

• About Oxford Academic
• Publish journals with us
• University press partners
• What we publish
• New features  
• Open access
• Rights and permissions
• Accessibility
• Advertising
• Media enquiries
• Oxford University Press
• Oxford Languages
• University of Oxford

Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide

• Copyright © 2024 Oxford University Press
• Cookie settings
• Cookie policy
• Privacy policy
• Legal notice

This Feature Is Available To Subscribers Only

Sign In or Create an Account

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription.

The Power Of Motivation Essay & Paragraph Writing Example

Here is what you are searching for about motivation. By reading the following paragraphs, you can learn a lot about the power of motivation. I hope you will find this one excellent essay for your requirements.

Table of Contents

Short Paragraph On Motivation For Students

If you want to achieve great things, you have to be motivated. The Motivation is what gets us out of bed in the morning and drives us to work hard and achieve our goals. Without motivation, we’d probably stay in bed all day doing nothing .

There are many factors that can influence our motivation, such as our environment, our goals, and our emotions. However, the most important factor is often our own attitude. When we are motivated, we find a way to achieve our goals; if we are not motivated, we will find a way to avoid them. So how can we stay motivated? There isn’t one answer that applies to all of them, but there are some general tips that can help.

First, we need to set realistic goals and make sure our motivations are based on our own desires and not those of others. We also need to find a way to enjoy what we are doing so it doesn’t feel like a chore. And finally, even in difficult times, we need to remain positive and believe in ourselves. With these tips, everyone can stay motivated and achieve their goals. Remember to keep pushing forward and never give up!

Also read paragraph about self reliance

The Importance Of Motivation In Our Life

Motivation is a source of inspiration for people to achieve their goals.Without motivation, life becomes boring and there is nothing he can do. In our everyday lives, we feel so bored and have no interest in doing anything without wanting to.

We all know that God gave us a brain, but how do you use that brain? This question only comes up when we have no desires, interests, or motivation to do something. Each of us likes different things, such as traveling; some like reading books and watching movies; some like playing games; etc.

So, if we stay motivated with one thing, we will be interested in learning new things about that activity, which we will learn about because we love or want it. Just as I love to write articles on different topics , I always stay motivated as an author by looking for new topics that can motivate me and, on the other hand, my readers.

Motivation is the energy for us to make our dreams come true. If we stay motivated, we can do anything with full strength and hard work, and on the other hand, if we lose motivation, we feel like we cannot do anything, but only lack of interest or boredom leads us to depression. So you have to find ways to keep yourself motivated all the time.

Essay On Motivation

Introduction : Motivation is the driving force that drives us to achieve our goals and aspirations. It is a complex psychological construct that encompasses various factors, including our needs, wants, and desires. In simple terms, motivation is the reason behind why we do what we do.

• Types of motivation
• Theory of motivation by Maslow’s Hierarchy
• Role of self determination

There are different types of motivation, the most basic being intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation comes from within, and it is driven by the desire to engage in an activity for its own sake, such as reading a book for pleasure or playing a sport for fun. On the other hand, extrinsic motivation comes from external factors, such as rewards or incentives, such as money, grades or recognition.

One of the key theories of motivation is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which suggests that people are motivated by different needs at different levels. The lowest level of needs is physiological needs, such as food, shelter, and safety, followed by safety needs, such as security and stability. The next level is love and belonging needs, such as relationships and social connections, followed by esteem needs, such as self-esteem and self-worth. The highest level is self-actualization needs, such as personal growth and self-fulfillment.

Another important theory of motivation is Self-Determination Theory, which suggests that people are motivated when they feel that they have autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Autonomy refers to the sense of control and choice, competence refers to the sense of mastery and effectiveness, and relatedness refers to the sense of connection and belonging.

Motivation can be enhanced by several factors such as setting clear and challenging goals, providing feedback, creating a positive work environment, and promoting a sense of autonomy. On the other hand, demotivating factors can include a lack of autonomy, a lack of feedback, and a lack of opportunities for personal growth and development.

In conclusion, motivation is a complex psychological construct that drives us to achieve our goals and aspirations. Different types of motivation exist, and theories such as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Self-Determination Theory offer insight into what motivates individuals. Motivation can be enhanced by several factors such as setting clear and challenging goals, providing feedback, creating a positive work environment, and promoting a sense of autonomy.

Motivational Essay About Life

Introduction : Life is a precious gift that is meant to be lived to the fullest. It is a journey filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, and moments of triumph and defeat. But through it all, the one thing that can keep us going is motivation.

• Importance of motivation
• Step to find motivation for life
• Key aspects of motivation

Motivation is the driving force that propels us forward, giving us the energy and determination to overcome challenges and achieve our goals. It is the spark that ignites our passion and the fuel that powers our dreams. Without it, life can feel like a never-ending cycle of drudgery and despair.

The first step to finding motivation in life is to set clear and attainable goals. These goals should be specific, measurable, and time-bound, and they should align with our values and passions. When we have something to work towards, we have a sense of purpose and direction, and this can give us the drive to keep moving forward.

Another key aspect of motivation is having a positive attitude. Life is full of obstacles, but it’s how we choose to view them that makes all the difference. When we approach challenges with a positive attitude, we’re more likely to see opportunities instead of roadblocks. We’re also more resilient and better equipped to handle difficult situations.

It’s also important to surround ourselves with supportive and encouraging people. The people we surround ourselves with can have a profound impact on our motivation and outlook on life. Surrounding ourselves with positive and supportive people can help boost our confidence and give us the encouragement we need to keep going.

Self-care is also crucial for staying motivated. Taking care of our physical, emotional, and mental well-being is essential for maintaining a positive outlook and staying energized. Eating well, getting enough sleep, and engaging in regular exercise can help us feel better physically, while practicing mindfulness and self-reflection can help us feel better emotionally and mentally.

Finally, remember to celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may be. Recognizing and celebrating our accomplishments can help us stay motivated and remind us of all we’ve achieved.

In conclusion, motivation is the key to living a fulfilling and meaningful life. It is the driving force that propels us forward, giving us the energy and determination to overcome challenges and achieve our goals. By setting clear and attainable goals, having a positive attitude, surrounding ourselves with supportive people

Hello! Welcome to my Blog StudyParagraphs.co. My name is Angelina. I am a college professor. I love reading writing for kids students. This blog is full with valuable knowledge for all class students. Thank you for reading my articles.

Related Posts:

Home / Essay Samples / Psychology / Child Development / Motivation

Motivation Essay Examples

Attribution theory in organizational behavior.

Attribution theory, a prominent concept in social psychology, has significant implications in organizational behavior. This psychological framework explores how individuals attribute causes to behavior, events, and outcomes, and its application in the workplace helps us understand employee motivation, performance, and interpersonal dynamics. In this essay,...

The Necessity of Self-motivation

'You can motivate by fear. And you can motivate by reward. But both of these methods are only temporary. The only lasting thing is self-motivation.' - Homer Rice. In self motivation essays authors usually share pure tips how to motivate yourself, but they sometimes forget...

What Motivates You in Life - the Biggest Dreams

I will excel in my studies throughout my college education to ensure the fulfillment of my dream to be a leader in the industry of eco-friendly products and goods. I chose to write what motivates you in life essay to show what can be motivation...

What Motivates Me: a Personal Reflection

Every individual is driven by unique motivations that shape their aspirations, decisions, and actions. Understanding what motivates us provides insight into our passions, values, and goals. In this essay, I will reflect on what motivates me and delve into the factors that ignite my drive...

Personal Experience of Helping Someone: What Drives Me to Do This

My task for this paper was to 'narrate your personal experience of helping someone', that is the main topic for this paper. Here my personal experience of helping will be introduced. Then, the motivations of helping and the reason why I would be the only...

An Ideal Learning Community: Plc and Teacher Empowerment

Usually teachers are habituated to perform his or her duties individually within the work place. But in the last decade of twenty century this old approach turn into modern approach that is more effective for the teacher professional development through creating collaboration, sharing ideas and...

Motivation in Learning Second Language

Motivation is a process that makes people determined to achieve their goals. It totally depends on the firmness of our decisions. Theories about motivation explains about the efforts of the people to achieve their desired things. Many motivational speakers give their views differently about motivation...

My Motivation to Get Summer Program in China

“Seeing something once is better than hearing about it a hundred times. Doing something once is better than seeing it a hundred times. ” This adage by Lisa See is what I’ve been a strong believer of and live by. Having the privilege of travelling...

Motivation in Second Language Learning: a Historical Overview

The concept of motivation always regarded in human societies particularly for scholars and educational experts.  In this paper, we review the theoretical perspectives that have been submitted over the past 4 decades and associated with language acquisition, this review also covers the important results of...

Theories of Motivation: Analysis of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Hertzberg’s Two Factor Theory

Numerous psychologists have contributed to the theories of motivation which most organizations use as a tool to aid in efficiency and effectiveness of employees. The theory of motivation can be approached from various perspective, however, they all share common factors that there is a link...

Trying to find an excellent essay sample but no results?

Don’t waste your time and get a professional writer to help!

You may also like

• Growth Mindset Essays
• Morality Essays
• Operant Conditioning Essays
• William James Essays
• Procrastination Essays
• Big Five Personality Traits Essays
• Phobias Essays
• Emotional Intelligence Essays
• Problem Solving Essays
• Archetype Essays

About Motivation

Motivation is the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. It is what causes you to act, whether it is getting a glass of water to reduce thirst or reading a book to gain knowledge. Motivation involves the biological, emotional, social, and cognitive forces that activate behavior.

There are four main tyoes of motivation: Intrinsic, extrinsic, unconscious, and conscious.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Herzberg's two-factor theory, Alderfer's ERG theory, Self-Determination Theory, Drive theory.

samplius.com uses cookies to offer you the best service possible.By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .--> -->