How to Get Motivated

Are you struggling to stay motivated with your college assignments? As a master's degree student myself, I can say that college can be a really challenging! With a myriad of assignments, projects, and exams, it can be overwhelming to keep up with everything. However, with the right mindset and approach, I find that it is possible to stay motivated and on track. In this article, I will share my personal experience on how to balance extrinsic and intrinsic motivation to motivate you throughout your learning journey as I do!

I will share with you three easy steps to motivate yourself even in toughest times. But before that, please do not forget to like ❤️👍 this post and subscribe 🔔 It will help the channel grow! Also, feel free to share this link with anyone who needs help with getting motivated! ✍️

That said, let us check each of these steps one by one!

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What is Extrinsic Motivation?

Extrinsic motivation is the desire to engage in an activity because of external factors, such as rewards or recognition (Ryan & Deci, 2000). Extrinsic motivation can be a useful tool for staying motivated in college. For instance, students who receive scholarships or grants may be motivated to maintain a certain grade point average or complete a certain number of credits to maintain their financial aid. Or if you are motivated to earn a good grade on an assignment to make your parents proud, you may be more likely to put in the effort needed to complete the assignment. However, while extrinsic motivation can provide an added boost to keep students on track and motivated to achieve their goals, intrinsic motivation is important for long-term sustainability (Ryan & Deci, 2000).

What is Intrinsic Motivation?

Intrinsic motivation is the desire to engage in an activity purely for the joy and satisfaction that it brings (Ryan & Deci, 2000). This type of motivation comes from within and is driven by an individual's personal interests, values, and goals. For example, if you enjoy writing like I do, you may feel motivated to write an essay because you enjoy the process of researching and organizing your thoughts. Intrinsic motivation can be a powerful force when it comes to completing college assignments (Ryan & Deci, 2000). When you are intrinsically motivated, you are more likely to engage in the task at hand and put forth your best effort. Additionally, you are more likely to feel a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment once the task is complete.

Marie Kondo is a Japanese organizing consultant and author of the best-selling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. While Kondo's (2014) book focuses on organizing and decluttering your home, the principles she teaches can be applied to various aspects of life, including staying motivated and organized with college assignments. Kondo (2014) emphasizes the importance of finding joy and meaning in the things we own and the spaces we occupy, which can also be applied to finding motivation and meaning in the tasks we undertake. So, ask yourself: What gives me pure joy in this particular activity? The answer would give you a glimpse on what your intrinsic motivations are.

How to Balance Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation

The key to staying motivated in college is to strike a balance between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

1. Set SMART Goals

I have written about SMART goals in detail here. Setting goals is a powerful way to stay motivated in college. When setting goals, it's important to set both intrinsic and extrinsic goals. For example, if your goal is to earn a good grade on an assignment, consider why that goal is important to you. Perhaps you value learning and growth, or maybe you want to achieve academic recognition. By setting both intrinsic and extrinsic goals, you can stay motivated in the short and long term.

2. Focus on the Process

When completing college assignments, it is easy to get caught up in the end result. However, focusing solely on the outcome can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. Instead, try to focus on the process of completing the assignment. Break the assignment down into smaller, manageable tasks and focus on completing each one to the best of your ability. Warren Buffet suggested that by doing this, we can enjoy the process so that you can stay motivated and engaged throughout the entire assignment.

3. Reward Yourself

Rewards can be a powerful motivator when it comes to completing college assignments! How to reward yourself for your hard work and effort (2019) stated that it is important to choose rewards that are both meaningful and sustainable. For example, if you enjoy eating cakes or artisan bakery like I do, you may reward yourself by spending time in cafe after completing an assignment. By choosing meaningful and sustainable rewards, you can stay motivated and engaged throughout the entire assignment.

In conclusion, balancing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation is key to staying motivated in our studies (Ryan & Deci, 2000). By setting meaningful goals, focusing on the process, finding meaning in the work, and rewarding ourself, we can stay motivated and on track throughout our college journey. In the end, remember, staying motivated is an ongoing process that requires effort and dedication. It is important to stay aware of your motivation levels and adjust your approach as needed (Kondo, 2014). By balancing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, you can find the drive and inspiration needed to succeed in college and beyond. So keep adjusting your environment and never lose sight of your goals. With hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything you set your mind to!

References

How to reward yourself for your hard work and effort. (2019, February 5). Stunning Motivation. https://stunningmotivation.com/how-to-reward-yourself/

Kondo, M. (2014). The life-changing magic of tidying up: The Japanese art of decluttering and organizing. Ten Speed Press.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation: Classic definitions and new directions. Contemporary Issues in Education, 25, 54-67. https://tinyurl.com/47r7ytv4