The 8 Best Extrinsic Motivators

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivators

There are two fundamental categories of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. Here are some examples of the two different types.

The Best Extrinsic Motivators

1. Appearance
2. Awards
3. Promotions
4. Grades
5. Money
6. Freebies
7. Partnerships
8. Experience

Issues With Extrinsic Motivation

• It can hamper intrinsic motivation. Becoming semi-professional as a hobby can make it difficult to continue to do that hobby without the external validation.
• When applied haphazardly, it can undermine your goals. Being motivated to make money can help someone learn how to do it well, or it can turn them into a "yes man."
• It can ultimately feel hollow. Spending a lot of time on something you actively dislike because of the adulation it receives can lead to resentment.
• It doesn't always hold up. Going to the gym to become more attractive is a legitimate pursuit. But once you stop making perceivable gains on a regular basis, you'll need to have developed some internal desire, or you'll fall off.

How Extrinsic Rewards Kill Internal Motivation

Conclusion

The counterpart to motivation is validation. Finding good motivators is important, but it's also important to keep in mind whether you are actually finding pleasure and meaning in the thing you are trying to learn. That doesn't have to be simple joy or excitement. It can be complicated, as long as it is real. By knowing what is helping you to pursue a certain project or habit, you can be even clearer on what kinds of motivations will help you achieve it. And then you can look through our list and see which of these motivators are best suited to getting you to keep going.

In Depth

What are extrinsic motivators and why should you learn about them? An extrinsic motivator is something outside of an individual that will give them the drive to accomplish a goal. Knowing what motivates people and why will help you set better goals for yourself and for others, whether it's in a personal or a business situation.

Let's break down the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivators. Extrinsic by definition means something external to a person, while intrinsic is something internal. An intrinsic motivator might be a personal desire for accomplishment or a desire to do what one loves.

For example, if a musician truly loves making music for it's own sake, one of their intrinsic motivators is to make themselves happy by doing what they love. They feel internally rewarded for making music.

For example, if a musician truly loves making music for it's own sake, one of their intrinsic motivators is to make themselves happy by doing what they love.

On the contrary, an external or extrinsic motivator might be the money they will earn by performing. Knowing that their music will help them pay the bills is a powerful reason to perfect their craft.

Let's take a look at some of the best extrinsic motivators, and in what situations they are frequently found.

#1. Appearance. Exercising and practicing healthy living in order to be beautiful is a natural, instinctual extrinsic motivator. Who doesn't want to be fit, receive more attention from others, and look good in photographs? While working out for the joy of it is very powerful too, extrinsic factors such as your weight, muscle tone, or youthfulness are all commonly held desires. While it may be superficial, taking your appearance into account when setting goals can be inspiring.

Exercising and practicing healthy living in order to be beautiful is a natural, instinctual extrinsic motivator.

#2. Awards. Whether it's the athlete going after the gold medal, or the restaurant trying to earn a Michelin Star, awards are powerful motivators. They give people a sense of accomplishment and a way to show their status to others. For kids, knowing that they'll be recognized for their achievements can help them feel more positive about extracurricular activities. Children and adults alike will celebrate getting a gold star for all of their hard work.

#3. Promotion. An obvious extrinsic motivator in a business situation is the promise of a better position. No one wants to keep working at the same level day in and day out. Promotions are powerful incentives for employees to keep working hard, improving their skills, and contributing to a company. The status and financial growth that a promotion can bring is one of the primary reasons people continue in a position. Opportunities for growth will keep talented professionals within a company.

#4. Grades. Most people like to see some type of reflection of the knowledge, skills, or experience they've gained. Grades give us a tangible result and validation for something that can be hard to measure. An excellent review on a report card is a prime extrinsic motivator. Who doesn't feel proud about seeing an A for a job well done?

Grades give us a tangible result and validation for something that can be hard to measure.

Obviously, grades are great extrinsic motivators for children. But they also work for adults pursuing higher education, or even employees getting their performance reviews.

#5. Money. This is the most tangible and widespread extrinsic motivator. Everyone has bills to pay, whether it's a mortgage, college expenses, or a much-needed vacation. While many people may be passionate about their work, you won't find many people working for free.

Knowing that your illustrations, marketing ideas, or sales techniques will earn you cash can get your inspiration flowing. Other examples of money as a motivator are offers for payment in exchange for a survey, or a cash bonus for opening up a savings account at a bank.

Knowing that your illustrations, marketing ideas, or sales techniques will earn you cash can get your inspiration flowing.

#6. Freebies and Deals. Along the same lines, offering discounts, bonuses, or other prizes can help motivate people to buy specific items. Businesses often use these techniques in order to increase revenue, bring in more customers, or guide customers towards specific purchases. For example, a beauty company might offer customers a free make-up kit if they bring a friend to a tutorial event at the store.

#7. Partnerships and alliances. Do you ever go to networking events? They can be fun or tiresome, depending on your personality, but there are definite extrinsic rewards there. Forming alliances and partnerships, whether in a career or a personal situation, is important for everyone. We all need support from others in order to be successful. This is one reason why people invite coworkers out to lunch or make an effort to remember every name at a PTA meeting.

#8. Experience. This is why people contribute their artwork to a magazine that doesn't pay, or volunteer at an after school program. Oftentimes, when someone is starting out, they need to get exposure before they can get paid work. For example, a teenager might volunteer at an animal shelter to gain experience working with animals. Having this experience can help them get into veterinary school.

This is why people contribute their artwork to a magazine that doesn't pay, or volunteer at an after school program.

Motivation is a complex topic, and most people's actions are driven by a number of factors. These 8 extrinsic motivators are among the most widespread and effective ways to guide actions towards specific goals.