Have you ever woken up feeling excited to go to work, not because you're going to get paid more or be promoted, but because you are about to start a new and interesting project?

An intrinsically motivated woman waking up excited to go to work. Photo by Rifki Kurniawan on Unsplash

That sense of excitement is intrinsic motivation. We all have it within us. There are different types of intrinsic motivation — knowing which one works best for you can help you get ahead!

Motivation Types: Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic

There are two main types of motivation: extrinsic and intrinsic.

Extrinsic motivation comes from outside of you. This is doing something to get praise or a reward, like a pay rise, a bonus, or a promotion.

For example, I act in the annual play at work because it ensures I get my full bonus.

A man looking happy in his job. Photo by Jason Goodman on Unsplash
Intrinsic motivation comes from within you. This is doing something because you find it interesting or satisfying.

For example, I like planning my lessons at work because I enjoy coming up with new ways to teach my students.

Intrinsic Motivation Types

  1. Drive to learn

  2. Drive for control

  3. Drive for meaning

  4. Drive for something new

Quiz

James took a lower paying because it will give him an opportunity to learn how to use graphic design tools. Is this intrisic or extrinsic motivation?

1. The Drive to Learn

Imagine you want to learn a new skill for your job. Instead of doing this for money or a promotion, you do it because you enjoy learning.

An example:

Mark works for a tech company and has decided to learn an additional computer language in his own time. Of the different motivation types, the most important to Mark is learning something he is interested in. His boss hasn'tasked him to do this, but he is studying because he enjoys learning more about how computers work.

A man learning to code on their computer. Photo by Danial Igdery on Unsplash
How the drive to learn benefits your career:

With the drive to learn, you're more likely to complete challenging certificates or volunteer for the hard project, just to see if you can do it. This can help you stay adaptable and discover new skills and opportunities to work in more exciting roles in the future.

2. The Drive for Control

Imagine you're the type of person who likes to feel in control and to make key decisions.

An example:

Rachel is a consultant and finds enjoyment in her work, as she can be in full control of her time and schedule. Of the different motivation types, the one that inspires Rachel is managing her workflow as she desires.

A woman at a desk, looking organized. Photo by Microsoft Copilot on Unsplash
How the drive for control benefits your career:

You do well when you're left on your own to achieve a goal. You get a lot of satisfaction from work when you have a sense of independence.

When you have control over your work, you can fit in other important things, such as seeing friends or doing hobbies. This provides work-life balance.

3. The Drive for Meaning

Imagine you're the type of person who enjoys their job because it is really meaningful, and you feel what you're doing is making a difference.

An example:

Andy is a teacher and enjoys going to work because he finds teaching young students to be really meaningful. When he helps weaker students improve, he finds it really rewarding. Out of all the different motivation types, Andy responds best to having meaning in his work.

A motivated male teacher at his desk, smiling. Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
How the drive for meaning benefits your career:

You like to see how what you're doing is making a difference. Climbing the career ladder alone isn't likely to satisfy you. You'll enjoy your job more when you have meaning and satisfaction from your work.

Having a job you find meaningful will make you feel happy. Your work isn't just about getting paid.

4. The Drive for Something New

Imagine that you're the type of person who likes to experiment and try new things simply because they sparks your imagination.

An example:

Tina is an assistant in a large company. Her salary is a bit low, but she is very happy with her job because her boss assigns her a wide variety of tasks. Out of the different motivation types, Tina finds the constant variety interesting and exciting.

A woman at a standing desk, working and looking satisfied. Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash
How the drive for something new helps your career:

Exploring new things keeps your mind sharp and makes you more desirable to employers.

By stepping out of your comfort zone, you become more adaptable. This can help you make more connections and even increase your earning potential.

Quiz

Flaticon Icon John took a well-paying corporate job in North America after he graduated from college. However, he soon realized that he didn't enjoy doing the work. He had to do a lot of data entry, which he found to be tedious. John didn't feel motivated by this work.

John had always enjoyed helping people. He looked online and saw a job teaching English abroad. What should John think about as he looks into this career choice?

Quiz

What should John consider before teaching English iabroad? Check all the options that apply:

Take Action

Intrinsic motivation has many benefits for your career, from finding meaningful work to giving you opportunities to shine.

When applying for new roles or taking on new projects, think about what you want to achieve, not just the money.

A young man saying,

License:

Your feedback matters to us.

This Byte helped me better understand the topic.

#career-skills

#career-mindset

#understand-concept

#career-path

#applying-concept

#9-to-5

#self-discovery

#owning-your-growth

#career-counseling

#leveraging-strengths