Intrinsic motivation · also called vs extrinsic
why did it stop being fun
Intrinsic motivation comes from the activity itself; extrinsic motivation comes from a reward attached to it. Adding a strong external reward to an intrinsically enjoyed activity can reduce the internal drive — an effect called overjustification.
What to do about it
Do not pay yourself to do the thing you already love. You will need the payment forever.
Books that work on this
Each is a 90-day programme. Start with the first — later books assume the work in the earlier ones.
Discipline Over Motivation$6.99
Standards Beat Goals$6.99
Discipline Versus Motivation$6.99
The Discipline Blueprint$6.99
The Iron Routine$6.99
Crushing Soft Habits$6.99
The 5AM Tax$6.99
Show Up Anyway$6.99Part of the Discipline series.
How people say it
Nobody looks this up by its clinical name. These are the ways it actually gets said.
- doing it because I love it
- rewards killed my enjoyment
- I lost the joy in it
- motivation from inside vs outside
- why did it stop being fun
- doing it for money ruined it
- how to enjoy the process again
Written by Brian Spiker, who has run Spiker Carpet and Tile Care since 2013 — the receipts. More terms in the encyclopedia.