Self-Motivation: Improving Self, Others, and Workers

Self-Motivation: Improving Self, Others, and Workers

PSY 432

Francisco Aguilera

February 16, 2013

Professor Litman

Abstract

With so many theories of motivation proposed in the world of psychology there is a vast amount of explanations into why do the things we do. Cognitive dissonance, need achievement, and interest theory to name a few. Explanations of where these motives come from and why all theories of motivation seemed to harmonize with each rather than argue with each other was explored. Not just with self-motivation but with motivation in concerns with other people and the work environment. This paper makes a brief but knowledgeable over view of the extensive world of motivation theories and how a person could increase their own, someone else's or their work environments motivation.

Self-motivation is something we all have. Some of us have a stronger sense of self-motivation than others. Human beings, as we know, are natural goal seekers and it seems that all the incredible accomplishments in the world have come from highly motivated people. Motivation and power are so closely connected, it can be proposed that there is power in a motivated person. In simple terms, self motivation is the ability or power to motivate or push yourself to accomplish something or a goal. The ability to achieve the goal without having outside influence. It is a skill many people wish they were masters of the domain but few have truly achieved this. The strength of one's self-motivation can been seen when despite negativity or anxiety a person pushes on. Hope is a principle for people to be motivated. It is one the causes for the effect. Without hope, a person can't be motivated.

Motivation requires a goal or end state to be accomplished. "It is impossible for any individual, or for that matter, any team or group of people, to be motivated without a clear and specific goal" (Denny, 2006, p. 15). One must remember that even once motivation is made it does not last forever. It is like a battery that needs to be recharged every once in a while. Maintaining motivation should be a constant thing.

Researchers agree that achievement behavior is a relationship between situational variables and the persons motivation to achieve it. There two main motives known is implicit and explicit that are directly involved in the prediction of a person's behavior. Implicit are impulsive, and are awaken through incentives inherent to the goal. Explicit are expressed through conscious decisions and motivated for extrinsic or external reasons. People with a strong implicit motive, have a need to achieve an objective set with higher internal standards, in comparison to people who tend to follow what is considered societies norm. "These two motives often work together to determine the behavior of a person's direction and passion" (Brunstein & Maier, 2005, p. 209). Both motives have a persuasive force on behavior. Task behaviors are hastened in the presence of a problem or challenge through implicit, making completing a task in the most efficient and practical way the primary focus. Persons with a strong implicit drive will feel enjoyment from accomplishing an objective in a most resourceful way. The raise in effort and overcoming the situation or problem by mastering the mission pleases the person. Explicits are built around one's self-image. This form influences a person's behavior based on the own person's self-view and can sway one's choices and responses from outside cues. " Researchers still don't agree whether achievement is based on mastering one's skills or striving to promote a better self-image" (Brunstein & Maier, 2005).

Researchers have proposed a model of approach and avoidance motivation by integrating the two theories. This motive is the want to achieve and the fear of failing. There are three types of goals; approach goal, avoidance goal, and mastery goal. Approach goal is focused on obtaining the skill relative to others, avoidance goal is focused on staying away from a lack of ability relative to others, and mastery goal is focused on the advancement of one's competence and of mastering the task. The achievement motive theory can be seen as predictor of the relevant situation.

Every person is motivated about something. So how does one increase self-motivation In order for someone to become and remain self-motivated, the person needs to have a reason. The word motivation means in its self to have a motive or reason. Increasing one's self-motivation at work and fellow employees is an area always under research. As companies want to increase self-motivation at work so they don't have to keep pushing their employees to complete task. One should differentiate the difference in motivating and manipulating someone. Manipulation, is getting somebody to do something because you want them to do it. Motivation is getting somebody to do something because they want to do it. Through my literature review I have learned procedures about creating environments in which people will choose to contribute and achieve something, as well as improving one own self-motivation and others.

Seeing ourselves progressing motivates us human beings. When we see ourselves moving forward to our goal and achieving, we as human beings will be more motivated. When we see ourselves going backwards, we will be de-motivated. This seems so simple but yet we find ourselves still falling into the traps. Example being, let us say it has generally been good year for someone. This person has reduced their bills, saved a good bit of money, and received a promotion at work. That person will have the view that the year to come will be good at meet it with a greater eagerness. Though, if the person had a bad year, it is then very likely that the person will approach the upcoming year with a little bit of hesitation and lower motivation. A person needs to have a great concentration of the mind to learn from the past and realize that we can't change it. Then turning it into an advantage by learning from one's mistakes and understanding the experiences. A person needs to find some area of activity where there is improvement and highlight it. Focusing on the development rather than dwelling constantly on the negative.

There a three rules that play a factor in increasing others self-motivation. The first instruction that I feel is significant to motivation is involvement. People want to feel involved or included in decisions that shape their career. The best