What really is motivation? - Theories of Motivation (PART 1)

Motivation ,a commonly discussed noun.Motivation is the process of getting energized to reach our targets.Thus, the very basis of getting motivated is having well defined , clear , unambiguous ,challenging yet achievable and measurable targets.Motivation is a drive that compels one to act because human behavior is directed toward some goal. Motivation is intrinsic (internal); it comes from within based on personal interests, desires, and need for fulfillment. However, extrinsic (external) factors such as rewards, praise, and promotions also influence motivation.
One simply cannot say ," I am self-motivated". It all depends, for what he/she is talking about. Even self-motivation is outcome /reward / goal oriented. For example, a person says he is self motivated to lose more weight if his/her weight reduce to the desired target he/she had set earlier.

Motivation ,as known and said, has two factors : intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors ; around which the theories of motivation has been laid down

• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need : The five needs (or levels of need) grouped in lower order need and higher order need. Physiological and safety need are lower order need ; and; social , self-esteem and self-actualization are higher order need. For every stage of life-cycle or cycle of a particular relationship in which we enter; the internal components to satisfy each of the five levels are different and thus begin from the lower level again. In some cases though, lower level needs may be same and thus only higher order needs begin from starting .For e.g.  when you enter into a new relationship let’s say you are to get married then your hierarchy will start from the lowest level to the highest level. But, the point to remember here is you have to be motivated first for the physiological need , once satisfied then only you can be motivated to satisfy safety need. ONLY ONE MAJOR SATISFIER AT A TIME.

Let’s take our friends example who joined FORE School of Management. The first thing their parents enquired after depositing the first draft was about the hostel. And since they don’t have a good one, the first priority was to search for one that too near --PHYSIOLOGICAL NEED

Then if we find a house our parents check about the security there is in terms of guard and the locality as such ,at the same time they open an account whose access is given to us via ATM or give us debit or credit card for providing us financial security --SAFETY NEED.

Then after all this we stay there and come to college and try to portray an image which will be accepted socially to make friends. Also, try  to be accepted by the college professors as well. --SOCIAL NEED

Now, even at the time of choosing our friends we try to make friends depending on how we want to be seen. Then via activities like games, being a topper, or by being quiet …, we try to get recognition .Everyone has a different way of getting valued. --SELF-ESTEEM NEED

After satisfying all the above needs in the first two-three trimester, we try to maximize our potential and abilities for the final motive we have .This we through by choosing our elective as per our interest and abilities and fine tuning them. And, then by gaining experience and further fine-tuning our skills through various training -- SELF-ACTUALIZATION NEED

This is clear from this for every new relationship or stage we start from the basic lower level need to attain the highest level need. Now, in next post I’ll try to find whether these levels are as said attained in the order or can one be motivated on all the levels simultaneously.