1: To perform at the highest level, we must tap into our intrinsic motivation, Steven Kotler writes in his book The Art of Impossible.
Intrinsic motivation refers to behaviors that are driven by internal rewards. We engage in activities because we find them exciting and internally satisfying.
Steven identifies five intrinsic drivers: Curiosity, passion, purpose, autonomy, and mastery.
2: One of my goals for 2024 is to be intentional about turning on and turning up each of these motivators.
How’s it going so far? It’s a bit of a mixed bag. I’ve made progress with some of the intrinsic motivators. With others, not so much.
3: Intrinsic Driver #1: Curiosity
RiseWithDrew is a big part of my life driven by my curiosity. I read and write about books I find interesting.
My plan for 2024 is to look for specific ways to implement the ideas I’m writing about Monday through Thursday and then reflect on my progress during my Friday posts. That’s what I’ve been doing so far this year. Check mark.
Intrinsic Driver #2: Passion
One strategy to tap into our passion is to be clear about our strengths. We ask: What am I really good at? Because it’s easier and better to build our careers around our strengths.
One way to identify our strengths is to analyze our life’s biggest accomplishments and then think about which traits or characteristics were in play when we achieved that success.
When I did this exercise, I identified five specific strengths: my desire to initiate and make things happen, my ability to create positive and engaging cultures, my willingness to challenge and empower others, my deep love of learning, and my power of persistence.
I’m off to a slow start in 2024 putting these strengths into action as I haven’t been referring to this list.
My plan to change this reality is to integrate this practice into my weekly planning process. I can be deliberate about setting a high bar. Creating a compelling vision. Believing in people. Challenging people. Giving people a chance to do something with excellence.
I can also set an example by admitting my mistakes and being vulnerable so others on my team and in my family can do the same.
Intrinsic Driver #3: Purpose
Last year, I used the framework in The Art of Impossible to craft my purpose statement: “To glorify God by connecting deeply with others, unlocking human potential, and savoring the experience of being alive.”
My goal to amplify the power of purpose in my life was to track my time and spend some time each day reflecting on which specific activities are aligned with my purpose and how. As with the passion driver above, I have not been doing this. Time to start!
Intrinsic Driver #4: Autonomy
Autonomy is often associated with feelings of independence or freedom. One tactic to increase this motivator is to step back and create the context for the work we are doing now as part of our larger life trajectory.
We can plan out our future big milestones. And then embed what we are doing now into this bigger journey. Doing so generates feelings of autonomy. I’ve done some work here, but plan to take it to a new level in the weeks and months ahead.
Intrinsic Driver #5: Mastery
As part of our larger life trajectory, we can also identify which skills we will need to master to achieve our future milestones.
One of my longer-term goals is to write a book and deliver a compelling TED talk that crosses over into popular culture.
To achieve these milestones, I must become a skillful writer and an expert speaker. Which is one of the reasons I write my RiseWithDrew blog and am experimenting with video messaging.
Each blog I write and video I record is a step forward toward my goal of mastery.
More next week!
____________________
Reflection: What can I do to boost the impact of intrinsic motivation in my life?
Action: Journal about it.
What did you think of this post?
