Have you heard of Self Determination Theory? It is one aspect of human motivation science on offer these days. Before you think I have jumped off the wagon and have gone full blown pop psychology on you, just hear me out and see if there are not some ideas that could help you in crushing your goals and dreams today.

In Daniel Pink’s book, DRIVE – The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, suggests there are three parts that make up the study of what motivates us. Here they are:

1. Autonomy – The first step is to create a sense of autonomy. In other words realize that you have some say so about your daily activity. Life just doesn’t happen to us without any say so. Pink suggests there is a difference between compliance (doing what you are told to do) and engagement (doing what you chose to do). How are you doing with that?
2. Relatedness – We are wired to feel connected. We need to cultivate a sense of connection with our friends, family, and colleagues. Ultimately, we need to feel a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves. That friends, is the very definition of religion – linking to something that is bigger than we are. How connected do you feel?
3. Mastery – We are also wired to feel competence and to master tasks and mastering ourselves. The Apostle Paul had a few words to say about self-mastery – making our bodies submit…….!

Autonomy + Relatedness + Mastery

The Big Three of Intrinsic Motivation – go out today and make a difference in your world!