When we’re trying to achieve anything then the least reliable thing we could hope for is motivation. It’s based on our desire to act and how we feel. If there is none, then we will not want to do anything. In order to make sure that never happens we need to know how to create intrinsic motivation.

Everyone can do anything if they have motivation. If they get a sudden urge of inspiration in the moment then they can trick themselves into doing what they’re supposed to. However, that happens very rarely and we could spend our entire lives waiting for it to happen.

Rather than just standing there we need to be able to do things with no motivation (read how). Discipline is far better of a tool at our disposal and it isn’t dependent of how we feel but on who we are. It’s an ability embedded within us enabling us to accomplish anything with sheer power. To use it we need to have mental toughness, be courageous enough to face fear and stick to our goals no matter what.

However, despite it’s effectiveness, we don’t want to rely on it all the time either. Drawing upon our discipline drains our willpower and eventually will make any blade dull. Constantly grinding through isn’t ideal either. It should be something we use when we need to get the extra edge, not constantly be taxing ourself with.

We don’t want to burn out before we’ve actually reached our truest potential. Instead of it being a grind all the time, we should instead enjoy the process. Creating intrinsic motivation will allow us to do what we’re supposed to do because we’re loving it and get enjoyment out of doing so.

Intrinsic motivation instead of extrensic.

Opposed to the extrensic, intrinsic motivation creates desire to act because of internal factors. It’s when we do something for the activity itself, for fun, rather than expecting some benefit from it. However, I would also like to add it to the things we do that are right or good for us.

For instance, reading books (how to speed-read) can be done just for the sake of it, while at the same time you’re benefiting from it in terms of knowledge and cognition. There is both extrensic as well as intrinsic motivation attached to it, but if you look at the outcome in terms of its value, then you can see, that the results are all internal. It’s an investment we make into ourself which gives us joy in doing so. The act of improving and becoming a self-empowered being is the greatest reward in of itself.

Therefore, something benefiting us as a person can be considered to be derived from intrinsic motivation. Exercise, nutrition, cold thermogenesis are all empowering us externally, but at the same time we do them for fun as well. Purely extrensic would be doing them without actually enjoying the process and just for the sake of getting it done.

The Science of Human Motivation.

In order to know how to create intrinsic motivation we need to know why we do anything. What it is that really motivates us to take action? Every person might have their own reasons but underneath those individual differences lie some key components and characteristics that apply to all.

In my experience there are both lower and higher levels of motivation. The fundamental desire to do anything is problably based on the primary physiological needs of man. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs food, shelter and safety make up the base of the pyramid. As bad as it might sound these are and should be the most important things for an organism because they contribute to survival.

Once the base has been covered one gains access to higher levels which otherwise would be neglected, such as loving relationships with friends and family, a sense of belonging and feeling of accomplishment. This can be considered the moment, when a person surpasses one’s individuality and begins to expand their presence. It’s the desire to be a part of the lives of others.

The top of the pyramid is about self-actualization and fulfillment because these things are not about surviving but thriving instead. This is the point where man can achieve one’s truest potential by being as great as one can be. It’s the highest expression of purpose and manifests itself through creative endeavours (how to become more creative) and the pursuit towards mastery. Because everything beneath has already been covered the individual experiences bliss and their consciousness rises. They have everything they need and because of that intrinsic motivation they keep on growing.

These are, according to Maslow, the factors that contribute to the needs of man. In the case of wanting to create intrinsic motivation they are all equally as important. It doesn’t matter which part of the pyramid is the driving force at any given moment, as they will all make us take action. Actually, the base would be a much greater motivator than the top because of the detrimental consequences that would ensue if one fails to find food and shelter.

The hierarchy of needs ought to be considered, but what really motivates people lies both within the pyramid and beyond that. It can be said that it’s about climbing the ladder and reaching the top but when you’re only at the bottom you don’t have time to think about that. The only thing you’re focusing on is how to make ends meet.

What motivates people to act is where they are currently at their life. If they have financial difficulties then their primary concern will be to make money. If that is covered then they will begin to find ways to spend it or create more meaning for them through prestige and relationships, which then leads to trying to really make a change in the world and one’s own existence.

When you look at the components of each stage then it’s about having something to be working towards, a reason to get out of the bed and keep moving forward. Whether that be wealth, prestige or self-actualization there ought to be a purpose of some sort. Without it one would stay motionless.

Creating intrinsic motivation in our life.

For something to begin moving there ought to be reason. In the case of intrinsic motivation it is motion for its own sake, doing something just because of the activity itself. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a purpose, as self-actualization and mastery will never be accomplished but serve as meaningful ends nonetheless.

Intrinsic motivation can come from having a higher purpose in mind but it can also be derived from within. In addition to wanting to achieve something it can be manifested willingly. That is necessary when we need an extra driving force to keep us going. It’s about managing our inner currents of energy so that the desire can be summoned seemingly out of nothing.

The culmination of those two factors – having a meaningful purpose and being able to become inspired in an instant – gives us a power to be able to have an aspiration to be working towards, achieve what we want and get more enjoyment out of doing so. That is what I want to teach you how to do

This entails that we know what we want or need to accomplish. Whether that be satisfying one of our primary needs or wanting to make a change in the world, having a direction is very benefitial. Intrinsic motivation is not about arriving at a destination but it will give us an additional driving force. Moreover, the results will also re-contribute to the feedback loop, as the rewards give back information on how we’re doing, which keeps our flame burning high.

If you would’ve asked Leonardo da Vinci “HOW?” I doubt he would’ve been able to give you a straight answer. He just did his work because that’s what he loved to do. The activities he did provided him with more than enough intrinsic motivation to achieve extraordinary results in his vocation.

This pursuit towards a purpose brings more meaning into our life. Everything we do will then have a function and are significant because they make us move closer to the goal. It’s important to not forget that, as some activities might not be that appealing by themselves. However, if you associate them in the wider context as things that will contribute to the progression then they will actually feel a lot better. Instead of pleasure we ought to strive for enjoyment, which are two different things.

For instance, doing cold thermogenesis or running in the rain are extremely uncomfortable but if you take a moment to think about all of the health benefits and mental toughness one cultivates then they get transformed from displeasure to empowerment. If we fail to realise this then we will never have enough intrinsic motivation to continue doing something even when things get extremely tough. Pain is a means to push off instant gratification and get delayed return instead, which is actually that much more better.

There also needs to be a desire. We have to want something first in order to actually begin to take action towards it. It may be purely selfish and materialistic, which would vibrate from the lower parts of the pyramid. However, those things aren’t nearly as powerful as the higher levels such as love and fulfilment. If you attain a purpose other than yourself then it will have a stronger meaning behind it. Altruism is a paradoxical phenomenon amongst humans. Doing good to others without any return and even sacrificing one’s life contradict entirely the hierarchy of needs and have more driving force than anything else. That’s the power of higher levels of consciousness, I guess.

Having a big purpose gives us more reasons to act. The question WHY needs to be kept in mind when doing this, or rather the answer to that. If your goal is to self-actualize, reach your truest potential, make a difference in the world, change the life of yourself and that of others then in my opinion intrinsic motivation is inevitable. „I’m doing this because I want to contribute.“ „I’m doing this because I want to be in control of my own life.“ „I’m doing this because others are counting on me“ etc.

Having a greater meaning brings more life into our years. By feeling fulfilled we experience being more alive. Without a purpose we will stagnate, as there won’t be nothing to be excited about. Rather than wanting to sleep in we need to jolt out of bed so that we could attack the day ahead of us and work towards achieving our goal. With a reason any dream will receive that much more power and gives us energy to go after them.

PURPOSE + DESIRE + FULFILMENT = INTRINSIC MOTIVATION.

How to summon intrinsic motivation.

However, intrinsic motivation can also be created willingly on the spot. What I mean by that is summoning the desire to do anything in an instant and enjoying it in the process. It’s a great ability to be able to not only to change how you feel at any given time but also achieve that much more.

The preconditions are to know what one’s purpose is and how to control your own thoughts and emotions. It’s about not straying from the path that we have chosen to walk and become more conscious as a person of what makes us move forward.

It can be used in any situation and during any activity, as our inner reality is independent of the external world. We simply need to recognize the power of our mind and take a moment to become more mindful.

Identify your situation. In a hypothetical scenario, for instance while reading, working out or being creative, you have to notice and be mindful how you feel. Where do you land on the motivational spectrum? Are you enjoying yourself and want to continue willingly, want to escape no matter what, or fall somewhere in the middle. Whatever it might be, summoning intrinsic motivation will benefit the activity and increase your drive.

In a hypothetical scenario, for instance while reading, working out or being creative, you have to notice and be mindful how you feel. Where do you land on the motivational spectrum? Are you enjoying yourself and want to continue willingly, want to escape no matter what, or fall somewhere in the middle. Whatever it might be, summoning intrinsic motivation will benefit the activity and increase your drive. Think of the benefits. Think about all of the positive things that will benefit you in the future because of this present moment. By reading this book you’re gathering knowledge, training your cognition, enforcing a good habit etc. The same thing applies to exercising as you’re improving your health and mental toughness at the same time. The key is to push off instant gratification of stopping and working towards delayed return, which will be that much more greater.

Think about all of the positive things that will benefit you in the future because of this present moment. By reading this book you’re gathering knowledge, training your cognition, enforcing a good habit etc. The same thing applies to exercising as you’re improving your health and mental toughness at the same time. The key is to push off instant gratification of stopping and working towards delayed return, which will be that much more greater. Remember the WHY. Keep your purpose in mind whenever you want to summon intrinsic motivation. „I’m doing this because I want to make a difference.“ Have your thoughts circulating around what you want to achieve. Don’t focus on the negative aspects, such as how much effort you have to put in to get there, but concentrate on the defining meaning behind it. What positive change will it bring to the world?

Keep your purpose in mind whenever you want to summon intrinsic motivation. „I’m doing this because I want to make a difference.“ Have your thoughts circulating around what you want to achieve. Don’t focus on the negative aspects, such as how much effort you have to put in to get there, but concentrate on the defining meaning behind it. What positive change will it bring to the world? Get excited about your life. Everyone falls into the trap of not realising how amazing their life actually is. Being alive is an enormous privilege in of itself. We have the opportunity to inhabit this world and do something great with our existence. There are numerous things to be grateful for and I can’t think of a way to not be excited about that. Self-actualization and intrinsic motivation will come from wanting to squeeze the most juice out of life and get things rolling. Also, instead of settling for mediocrity look at your existence as an amazing adventure book. In essence, become the hero of your own story.

Everyone falls into the trap of not realising how amazing their life actually is. Being alive is an enormous privilege in of itself. We have the opportunity to inhabit this world and do something great with our existence. There are numerous things to be grateful for and I can’t think of a way to not be excited about that. Self-actualization and intrinsic motivation will come from wanting to squeeze the most juice out of life and get things rolling. Also, instead of settling for mediocrity look at your existence as an amazing adventure book. In essence, become the hero of your own story. Affirm what you want to believe. Every activity we like is the result of our habitual conditioning. Some people procrastinate because that’s what they’re used to doing. Instead of continuing to do so they need to be taught how to act otherwise. It requires changing one’s feelings towards whatever you’re trying to change. If you can’t seem to find intrinsic motivation out of reading then you need to slowly alter those sensations. While reading take a moment to realise the benefits and tell yourself how great it is. If you do it a lot of times it will begin to stick and will happen automatically. This way you associate the activity with something positive not as something to avoid. It’s all about how we converse with ourselves.

If there isn’t intrinsic motivation to be found then we probably have lost our awareness for a moment. By having a purpose and a desire to achieve something we will inevitably get excited about moving forward. If not, then we’re either trying to do something we don’t actually want to accomplish or simply have fallen into the trap of our habitual way of thinking. Hopefully, this post will help you to find intrinsic motivation in anything you do.

Creating intrinsic motivation is easy for me. My daily activities include all of the components for me to never feel like it’s a grind. I’m putting in a lot of effort without losing my enthusiasm. At the moment I’m writing my new book called The Self-Empowered Superhuman Diet. Read the introduction to it and how to get exclusive access to it once it’s released through this link.