Motivation theory, how to get motivated
Everyone has their own motivators. What may compel one person to action may not be of any significance at all to another person. Motivation is one of those characteristics in life that you must find on your own. No one can assign you a motivator and no one can force their definition of what motivation is on you. Psychologically, motivation theory has many definitions. But it is up to you to determine if any of the following theories have what it takes to get you motivated.
Below you will find just a sampling of some of the more common Motivation Theories. Take note that each theory is unique in its own way, providing further evidence to the point that motivation is very individual and personal in nature:
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Acquired Needs Theory - According to this theory, we are motivated by our desire to seek power, achievement or affiliation.
Attitude-Behavior Consistency - We are motivated by factors that align attitude and behavior. For example, if we have the attitude that we would do anything to support a family, we would be more motivated to go to work.
Cognitive Dissonance - We do not like to be out of synch or away from the situations that are most comfortable to us, therefore we are motivated to do what it necessary to stay in our safety zone.
Cognitive Evolution Theory - According to this motivational theory we select tasks based on how doable they are in our own opinion.
Control Theory - Similar in ways to other motivational theories involving a need for control, this theory states that we are motivated because we have a need to control the world around us.
ERG Theory - Some theories, such as this one, deal with motivation in terms of our most basic needs. According to this theory we seek to fulfill needs of existence, relatedness and growth.
Expectancy Theory - The Expectancy Theory explains that we are motivated by desirable things we expect we can achieve.
Extrinsic Motivation - This motivation theory deals with rewards that are external (as opposed to intrinsic) as well as tangible. (The Intrinsic Motivation theory deals with the internal or rewards based in values and morals).
Goal-Setting Theory - Simply put, different types of goals motivate us differently.
Investment Model - Our level of motivation and our commitment to achieving a goal depends on what we have invested. If there has been a great deal of time or expense already spend on a project, we are more motivated to finish it.
As you can see from this brief lesson on the definition of just a few motivational theories, not everyone does what they do for the same reasons. For some people, motivation is needed to simply get out of bed. While for other people motivation is only needed to achieve some huge goal and all other responsibilities are simply done without thinking. Motivation also depends on your position in life. A new father is more motivated to do well at work when his wife and child are now depending on him to provide for their needs. Someone on the brink of starvation has more of a need to be motivated to find a job than does the heir to a throne.
When asking yourself "How do I get motivated?" it may be helpful to also ask yourself "Why do I want to be motivated?" Being motivated just for the sake of having motivation is just as confusing as it sounds. Unless we can figure out why we need to be motivated or what our motivators truly are, we will have a difficult time finding that motivational drive to accomplish our goals.
