Types of Motivation and Career Motivation Test

Motivation is powerful. When it’s present, it helps us do hard things. When it’s absent, even simple things seem like a stretch. But not all motivation is created equal. One of the most common ways to classify motivation is to divide it into two main types: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.

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The two major types of motivation are:

• intrinsic,
• and extrinsic.

Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, and both can be effective.

♦ Intrinsic motivation comes from within. In other words, you do something because you find the activity itself enjoyable, interesting, satisfying, or meaningful. Here are some examples of intrinsic motives:

• fun,
• desire to achieve,
• challenge,
• sense of competence,
• mastery,
• sense of progress,
• curiosity,
• learning,
• pride in your work,
• fulfillment.

Intrinsic motivation is generally seen as particularly useful because the activity itself gives you a reason to continue. The advantages of intrinsic motivation include:

• intrinsic motivation may last longer;
• it doesn’t always depend on external rewards;
• intrinsically motivated people may feel more in control of what they are doing.

The obvious problem is that when intrinsic motivation isn’t naturally present, it can be difficult to create it from the outside. Positive feedback may help, especially when it increases a person’s sense of competence, while overly controlling rewards or criticism can sometimes have the opposite effect.

♦ Extrinsic motivation: as the name suggests, this type of motivation comes from outside the activity itself. Money, praise, other types of rewards, and fear of negative consequences are all examples of extrinsic motivation. Extrinsically motivated people do something because of what they expect to gain or avoid as a result — not simply because the activity itself is enjoyable.

However, extrinsic motivation isn’t always completely controlled by outside forces. A person may still have a great deal of self-determination or autonomy. In self-determination theory, extrinsic motivation is often divided into several forms:

• external regulation, where an individual is motivated by a reward or punishment;
• introjected regulation, where motivation comes from internal pressure, such as guilt, shame, or the desire to maintain self-esteem;
• identified regulation, where an individual recognizes that an activity is important even if they don’t particularly enjoy it;
• integrated regulation, where the activity fits with a person’s beliefs, values, and sense of identity. For example, you may take part in social activism because you strongly believe that something needs to be done, even when doing it involves discomfort or sacrifice.

Integrated regulation is highly autonomous, but it is still considered a form of extrinsic motivation because the activity is being done for a result or purpose that is separate from simply enjoying the activity itself.

♦ Conclusion

So what does this all mean to you? How can you use it to increase your own productivity and reach your goals?

First, one important thing to realize is that you may be intrinsically motivated in one area and extrinsically motivated in another. For example, when it comes to fitness, you may be intrinsically motivated because you genuinely enjoy exercising. But when it comes to your career, you may be extrinsically motivated because you mainly work to earn money and support your lifestyle.

Second, when you don’t feel like doing something, ask yourself what kind of motivation is missing. Is there anything about the activity that you could make more enjoyable, interesting, challenging, or satisfying? Look at the diagram above and see whether any of the intrinsic motives listed there could apply to what you are trying to do.

You can also use extrinsic motivation to your advantage. Can you reward yourself for getting something done? Can you ask a friend or family member to hold you accountable if you don’t do what you planned? Depending on what works for you, they could help by:

• asking for progress reports;
• agreeing on some kind of consequence if you don’t do the work;
• rewarding or encouraging you when you make progress.

Finally, don’t forget about the power of having a strong reason for what you are doing. Find your “why” — something important enough to keep you moving even when the activity itself isn’t particularly enjoyable.

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Work Motivation Test

Now that you understand the different types of motivation, why not take a quick test to find out what motivates you at work? Like other tests on this site, this test is not a substitute for professional advice and is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only.

The test consists of 28 possible answers to the question: “Why do you work?” Read all the statements and check all that apply to you. At the end, you will find out how you score from zero to 100 for the following types of motives:

• Communication motives: socializing and being around other people are important reasons why you work;
• Avoidance motives: you are motivated by fear of falling behind, failure, or other negative consequences;
• Prestige motives: status, achievement, approval, and respect are important motivators for you;
• Professional motives: you enjoy your profession and want to become good at what you do;
• Self-realization motives: work gives you an opportunity to use your abilities, express yourself, and fulfill your potential;
• Learning motives: you enjoy learning, growing, and gaining new knowledge and experience;
• Social motives: you are motivated by a desire to be useful and contribute to other people or society.

So, let’s begin!

Question: Why do you work?
Answer: I work because…

…I enjoy my work.

…I want to advance in my profession.

…I want to feel competent at what I do.

…I want to make the most of my skills and talents.

…I don’t want to fall behind people around me.

…I like the people I work with.

…I want to be the best in my field.

…I like meeting new people.

…my work helps me learn more about myself.

…I don’t want other people to think I am a failure.

…I like being part of a team.

…I don’t want to lag behind colleagues who are moving ahead in their careers.

…I want to be a useful member of society.

…I want to keep growing and developing.

…I need to work because I don’t really have another choice.

…I want to gain knowledge.

…I enjoy learning new things.

…I want to gain as much experience as possible.

…I want to feel useful to other people.

…I want to become skilled and knowledgeable in my profession.

…my work gives me an opportunity to express myself.

…my work is part of who I am.

…I want to be respected.

…I want other people’s approval.

…I feel a need to contribute to society.

…my work gives me plenty of opportunities to socialize.

…I want to do something that benefits other people.

…I enjoy competing with others and proving what I can do.

GET RESULTS