Intrinsic motivation

Saturday, 2025-4-19, Word of the Day: Intrinsic motivation

YouTube / iTunes / Spotify / Radio Public / Pocket Casts / Google Podcasts / Breaker / Overcast

Listen to ArtisanEnglish.jp posts & lesson intros here.



WotD: Intrinsic motivation

As promised, I’m back with a post about intrinsic motivation.

Here we go!


Intrinsic motivation is the drive to do something because it is inherently enjoyable or fulfilling.


Unlike extrinsic motivation, which relies on external rewards like money or praise, intrinsic motivation comes from within.

When we are intrinsically motivated, we do something for the joy of doing it.

For example, an English teacher who loves reading does it because it is enjoyable and satisfying, not just to discover new lesson topics.

Intrinsic motivation is more important than extrinsic motivation.

It helps us stay engaged and committed to tasks.

When we are intrinsically motivated, we tend to perform better and develop a deeper understanding of the activity.

However, not everyone feels this motivation all the time.

Sometimes, we might struggle to find that inner drive.

If you lack intrinsic motivation, you can jump-start it.

First, try to connect the task to your interests.

If you can see how a task relates to what you enjoy, it can spark your motivation.

Second, set small, achievable goals.

Breaking down a larger task into smaller steps can make it less overwhelming and provide a sense of accomplishment as you complete each one.

Another way to enhance intrinsic motivation is to create a positive environment.

If you surround yourself with supportive people, a sense of camaraderie can make things more enjoyable.

Finally, remind yourself of the reasons you wanted to engage in the activity in the first place.

Reflecting on your passion can reignite that intrinsic motivation.

We can enhance our intrinsic motivation by connecting tasks to interests, setting goals, creating a positive environment, and reflecting on our passions.


Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test

This post is understandable by someone with at least a 9th-grade education (age 15).  

On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 50.  

The easier a passage is to read, the higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100. 




Posted

in

by

Enshittification sounds bad, and it is. But it's also frustrating to no end.  Discuss Enshittification in your next conversation
close
open