Text: Roger Hol - Photo by Randy Tarampi on Unsplash

If you're here because you're curious about how to stay motivated through a life change, this article is for you.

I'm diving into something that may help you understand how to stay motivated during your journey toward a better future.

It’s not enough to dream big—you need to know what drives you.

The difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation 

Motivation drives human behavior. It influences how we act and how we reach our goals.

There are two main types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic.

Understanding the difference between them gives valuable insight into human psychology, learning, and performance.

Intrinsic motivation: driven by internal rewards

Intrinsic motivation means doing something because you genuinely enjoy it or find it meaningful.

You do the activity for its own sake—not to get something in return.

Characteristics of intrinsic motivation:

• Rooted in personal interests and values
• Engages curiosity and creativity
• Encourages persistence even without external rewards
  
  

Examples of intrinsic motivation:

• Learning a new skill, like a musical instrument, because you enjoy it
• Reading a book simply out of interest
• Painting or drawing to express yourself—not to sell it
• Solving puzzles for the challenge
• Volunteering because it gives you joy and purpose

Extrinsic motivation: driven by external rewards 

Extrinsic motivation is the opposite. It means doing something to receive a reward or avoid a punishment.

The motivation comes from outside—like money, praise, or competition.

Characteristics of extrinsic motivation:

• Driven by rewards, recognition, or outcomes
• Often focused on goals set by others
• Tends to fade when the reward is removed
  
  

Examples of extrinsic motivation:

• Studying to earn good grades
• Working overtime for a bonus
• Exercising for a competition
• Cleaning your room to get a reward
• Entering a contest to win a prize
  

Summary: The key differences 

Intrinsic motivation:
- comes from within. It’s long-term, self-sustaining, and aligned with your personal process. It creates impact through your own creativity and curiosity.

Extrinsic motivation:
- comes from outside. It depends on rewards or recognition from others.It’s less stable and often fails in the long term if not supported by inner motivation.

Can they work together? 

Yes, they often do.

An employee might love their job (intrinsic) but also appreciate getting a raise (extrinsic).

A balance between the two often leads to better long-term results and satisfaction.

To give you a concrete example:

Before I understood this, I was stressed - eventually burned out.

It wasn’t until I started exploring my core values that things shifted.

That’s what I wrote about in my book FROM BURNOUT TO BALANCE  – GUIDED BY MY TRUE VALUE.

It might be of interest if this resonates with you.

Final thoughts: 

Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation both play key roles in shaping behavior.

Intrinsic motivation creates deeper engagement and creativity.

Extrinsic motivation helps reach clear, external goals.

By understanding how they work—alone and together—you can build a path that keeps you motivated in the long run.

If you search for a tool in finding your true intrinsic motivation: 

Meditation can help.

Read: An effective tool for life changes

(Actually - it’s one of the most powerful tools for real life improvements, if not the best.)