Fueling Fortitude: The Power of Intrinsic Motivation in Boosting Persistence

Persistence is the ability to keep working towards a goal despite setbacks. Persistence is essential for achieving success in any field, even if it is personal. But how can we develop and maintain persistence? One of the key factors is intrinsic motivation.

 

What is Intrinsic Motivation?

Intrinsic motivation is the motivation that comes from within, rather than from external pressures. Intrinsic motivation is driven by enjoyment. When we are intrinsically motivated, we do something because we find it fun, not because we expect to get something out of it.

 

How Does Intrinsic Motivation Increase Persistence?

Studies have shown that intrinsic motivation is positively associated with persistence, especially in the face of failures. For example, a meta-analysis of 128 studies found that intrinsic motivation was a stronger predictor of persistence than extrinsic motivation, which is the motivation that comes from external pressures. Another study found that students who were intrinsically motivated to learn math were more likely to persist in solving difficult problems than students who were extrinsically motivated.

 

There are several reasons why intrinsic motivation can increase persistence. First, intrinsic motivation can enhance our self-efficacy, which is the belief in our own ability to achieve our goals. When we are intrinsically motivated, we are more likely to attribute our success to our own effort and ability, rather than to external factors. This can boost our confidence and make us more resilient to setbacks.

 

Second, intrinsic motivation can foster our interest and curiosity, which can make us more engaged and attentive to the task at hand. When we are intrinsically motivated, we are more likely to seek out new information, explore different perspectives, and generate novel ideas. This can make the task more enjoyable and stimulating and help us overcome frustration.

 

Third, intrinsic motivation can align our goals with our values and identity, which can make us more committed and loyal to the task. When we are intrinsically motivated, we are more likely to pursue goals that reflect our personal beliefs, rather than goals that are imposed by social norms. This can make the task more meaningful and relevant to us and help us cope with opposition.

 

How Can We Increase Our Intrinsic Motivation?

If intrinsic motivation can increase our persistence, how can we increase our intrinsic motivation? Here are some strategies that can help:

• Set specific, achievable goals- Having clear and realistic goals can help us focus our attention, monitor our progress, and celebrate our achievements. Setting goals that are too hard can undermine our motivation and persistence.
• Break your goal into smaller subgoals- Breaking a complex goal into smaller and more manageable subgoals can help us maintain our motivation and persistence by providing us with frequent feedback, rewards, and milestones. It can also help us overcome overwhelm.
• Focus on the process, not the outcome- Focusing on the process of improving, rather than on the outcome of performing, can help us enjoy the task more and avoid comparing ourselves to others. Focusing on the process can also help us cope with failure, learn from mistakes, and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Seek feedback and support- Seeking feedback and support from others can help us improve our strategies and provide us with appreciation. Seeking feedback and support from people who share our goals can also increase our sense of collaboration.
• Find your passion and purpose- Finding your passion and purpose can help you discover what you love to do, what you are good at, and what you can contribute to the world. Finding your passion and purpose can also help you connect your goals with your values and identity, and inspire you to pursue them with enthusiasm, dedication, and persistence.

 

Intrinsic motivation is the motivation that comes from within, rather than from external pressures. Intrinsic motivation can increase our persistence by enhancing our self-efficacy, fostering our interest and curiosity, and aligning our goals with our values and identity. To increase our intrinsic motivation, we can set specific, achievable goals, break them into smaller subgoals, focus on the process, seek feedback, and support, and find our passion and purpose. By doing so, we can increase our chances of achieving success and satisfaction in any field.