How to Find Motivation to Achieve Your Goals: Ultimate Guide to Internal and Intrinsic Motivation

Welcoming 2024 with Motivation

Happy New Year 2024! As we embrace the new year, many of us dive headfirst into setting goals and resolutions. But before we immerse ourselves in the world of goals, let’s pause for a moment and talk about motivation. Because let’s face it, without motivation, our goals often fizzle out. I’m here today to explore the critical step of connecting with our internal motivation, the kind that sustains us over time.

The Power of Intrinsic Motivation

Why should we prioritize motivation before goal setting? Well, when our motivation is rooted internally, our goals have a much better chance of lasting. Have you ever set New Year’s resolutions that started strong but faded away? That’s a sign that your link to motivation may need some attention.

Understanding Intrinsic Motivation

Internal or intrinsic motivation is the key. It’s the type of motivation that stems from genuine interest, satisfaction, and happiness rather than external rewards or pressures. To stay motivated and achieve our goals, we must tap into this intrinsic motivation. So, let’s dive into how we can do just that.

The Five Elements of Intrinsic Motivation

In his book, The Art of Impossible, Steven Kotler outlines the five elements you need for intrinsic motivation. Those five elements are:

• Curiosity: Start by being genuinely curious about what you want to achieve. For me, it was weightlifting. I was curious to see if it would reshape my body, not because I had to lose weight but because I wanted to explore something new.
  
• Passion: Align your goals with your passions and values. My passion for self-care led me to weightlifting as a form of self-care. It resonated with what I truly valued.
  
• Purpose: Attach a purpose to your goals. My purpose was to help people, including myself, lead great lives despite challenges. Weightlifting became a tool for promoting well-being and self-care.
  
• Autonomy: Make the choice independently, without external pressures or rewards. I chose weightlifting because it excited me and fulfilled my curiosity, passion, and purpose.
  
• Mastery: Recognize that your journey toward your goals is an opportunity for learning and growth. Weightlifting allowed me to master a new skill and understand its impact on my life.
  

Embrace Intrinsic Motivation

By embracing these five elements of intrinsic motivation, you can lay a strong foundation for your goals. Stay tuned for my upcoming posts, where I’ll delve into setting and achieving goals that are aligned with your internal motivation. Remember, you have the power to tap into your internal motivation. If you’re struggling to tap into that intrinsic or internal motivation, please reach out to me and I would be happy to help!