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Motivation can be intrinsic (from within) or extrinsic (from outside yourself). Several factors can contribute to your motivation levels, and they can affect your productivity, dedication and commitment to work and success. Understanding the different motivations can help you apply valuable lessons to your personal and professional life. In this article, we will discuss the different types of motivation and give examples of how to use them in your career.

What is motivation?

Motivation is the internal and external factors that contribute to a person’s desire to stay committed or interested in a position, goal or subject. To excel in your profession, you will need the motivation to continually pursue your career objectives.For example, you may want to be promoted to a higher position of responsibility in your organization. Having a specific goal will motivate you to deliver top-level performance. This also applies when you are studying to acquire a specialized skill that will enhance your earning power.Motivation thrives on conscious and unconscious factors, which could include the need to gain something or the potential to earn recognition and praise from others. Your source of motivation could also be the need to earn more money to support your family or to retire by a certain age. 

Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation

Using motivation to achieve goals and complete tasks will be most impactful when you can identify the type that works best for you. Most types of motivation fall into one of these categories: Intrinsic and extrinsic motivationUsing motivation to achieve goals and complete tasks will be most impactful when you can identify the type that works best for you. Most types of motivation fall into one of these categories: Intrinsic motivationIntrinsic motivation is internal. For example, you might use intrinsic motivation when you feel inspired to complete a task because it aligns with your personal core values. If you volunteer for a community food bank because you derive motivation from helping others, you are likely well-motivated by intrinsic factors. Extrinsic motivationWhen you are motivated to act by external factors, such as compensation or praise, you are experiencing extrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation drives you to achieve things for rewards such as a promotion, raise, bonus, awards, and the need to maintain your livelihood, among others.Related: Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic MotivationTypes of motivationHere are eight types of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation along with ways you can apply them in your work life:Incentive motivationIncentive motivation is when you are motivated to perform a task because of the potential reward. People who are incentive-motivated typically do not focus on the process of achieving a goal so long as they get the reward. You can use incentive motivation to boost your career progression and earning ability. If you want a raise, thinking of the higher standard of living you can acquire with the extra pay can energize you to meet your production or sales quotas. Example: You strive to get a promotion because of the higher authority and larger paycheck that come with the new role, rather than the increased responsibility and job satisfaction attached to the position.Achievement motivationThis motivation entails performing tasks to achieve specific objectives. With achievement motivation, you likely care more about committing yourself to a vision and accomplishing an objective than attaining awards.Example: You could be a scientist whose organization works to create a vaccine that could cure a deadly virus. For you, the fulfillment is in creating a life-saving product rather than the potential commercial value of the discovery. An achievement-motivated individual can also be a person who spends a lot of time to develop a new production process because they want to improve productivity and reduce waste rather than selling the patent for the invention.Power motivationWhen you spend hundreds of hours to build your own business or become an expert in your field, you are trying to gain control over your livelihood. If you strive to control your life and that of others, your motivation is likely power. You enjoy actions that will make you the sole determinant of what happens to your money, food, health, relationships and more.Power motivation can be a positive way of developing your career, but it can also lead to challenges. Making a conscious effort to secure your source of income and adopt healthy eating habits is a noble cause. However, it is important to respect people’s opinions about their own lives, food choices, religion, knowledge and other personal choices.Example: You would like to advance to a more senior, managerial position in your company so you can be in charge of a team. To make yourself more eligible for a promotion, you complete a management training course and apply for an open position in your company.