#BadassBudgeting Tip of the Day: How to Develop Intrinsic Motivation

It is said that "play is the strongest motivator for sustained behavioural changes" (The Science of Motivation, ASAP Science), meaning that if we want to sustain a behavioural change, there must be a sense of fun or "play" involved. Studies show that people who do an activity for "fun" and those who do an activity for a "reward" ignite similar pathways in the brain. Yet, for those who were initially offered a reward when asked to participate again for no reward, the brain showed decreased activity in the anterior striatum and prefrontal areas (The Science of Motivation, ASAP Science).

What does this mean? This means that we when we must make a change we're wanting/needing to make, we must make it FUN. For example, if we're wanting to lose 50 lbs, for a sustainable behaviour change to take place, we MUST make it fun. This might look like walking, running, cycling, doing yoga or going to the gym.

Whatever inside you that calls for action is what ought to be done.

For me, I love going to the gym and using the weight training machines, walking by the oceanfront and doing Yoga. This for me is fun and therefore sustainable to wake up consistently at 7AM each weekday and be in the gym or walking the oceanfront by 7:30AM before my day at the office begins.

In summary, if we want to maintain a sustainable behaviour change, we must make the activity fun. This is how we Develop Intrinsic Motivation. Studying for an exam? Choose a subject you have a keen interest in to keep you motivated. Look to the end goal and remember what the outcome could be if you study smart and well. Reward yourself along the way for hitting each chapter of studying and make the process fun!

What would you be doing right now, if you had an infinite amount of time and money? -Joanne

Comment and share with me how your journey with motivation is going. Good luck!