Motivation Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on motivation.

Everyone suggests other than the person lack motivation, or directly suggests the person remain motivated. But, no one ever tells what is the motivation of how one can stay motivated. Motivation means to face the obstacle and find an inspiration that helps you to go through tough times. In addition, it helps you to move further in life.

Motivation Essay

Meaning of Motivation

Motivation is something that cannot be understood with words but with practice. It means to be moved by something so strongly that it becomes an inspiration for you. Furthermore, it is a discipline that helps you to achieve your life goals and also helps to be successful in life .

Besides, it the most common practice that everyone does whether it is your boss in office or a school teacher or a university professor everyone motivates others in a way or other.

Role of Motivation

It is a strong tool that helps to get ahead in life. For being motivated we need a driving tool or goal that keeps us motivated and moves forward. Also, it helps in being progressive both physically and mentally.

Moreover, your goal does not be to big and long term they can be small and empowering. Furthermore, you need the right mindset to be motivated.

Besides, you need to push your self towards your goal no one other than you can push your limit. Also, you should be willing to leave your comfort zone because your true potential is going to revel when you leave your comfort zone.

Types of Motivation

Although there are various types of motivation according to me there are generally two types of motivation that are self- motivation and motivation by others.

Self-motivation- It refers to the power of someone to stay motivated without the influence of other situations and people. Furthermore, self-motivated people always find a way to reason and strength to complete a task. Also, they do not need other people to encourage them to perform a challenging task.

Motivation by others- This motivation requires help from others as the person is not able to maintain a self-motivated state. In this, a person requires encouragement from others. Also, he needs to listen to motivational speeches, a strong goal and most importantly and inspiration.

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Importance of Motivation

Motivation is very important for the overall development of the personality and mind of the people. It also puts a person in action and in a competitive state. Furthermore, it improves efficiency and desire to achieve the goal. It leads to stability and improvement in work.

Above all, it satisfies a person’s needs and to achieve his/her goal. It helps the person to fight his negative attitude. The person also tries to come out of his/her comfort zone so that she/ he can achieve the goal.

To conclude, motivation is one of the key elements that help a person to be successful. A motivated person tries to push his limits and always tries to improve his performance day by day. Also, the person always gives her/his best no matter what the task is. Besides, the person always tries to remain progressive and dedicated to her/his goals.

FAQs about Motivation Essay

Q.1 Define what is motivation fit. A.1 This refers to a psychological phenomenon in which a person assumes or expects something from the job or life but gets different results other than his expectations. In a profession, it is a primary criterion for determining if the person will stay or leave the job.

Q.2 List some best motivators. A.2 some of the best motivators are:

  • Inspiration
  • Fear of failure
  • Power of Rejection
  • Don’t pity your self
  • Be assertive
  • Stay among positive and motivated people
  • Be calm and visionary

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Home Essay Samples Psychology

Essay Samples on Motivation

What motivates me as a student.

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Carl Rogers and Anna’s Case Study

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My Ambition Far Exceeded My Talents

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Motivation: Learning What Motivates You

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Application Of Motivation Models In Employee Engagement

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The Promising Advantages of Honor Codes for the Student's Future

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How My Favorite Author's Work Has Changed Me

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How Motivation and Dedication Helped Me to Find My Goal in Life

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How to Succed in College and Avoid Dropping Out

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Finding the Motivation to Focus on One Objective

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Selfishness as an Integral Part of Human Nature

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Who Moved My Cheese: Overcoming the Obstacles

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Child Development Theories: The Narratives and Application

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The Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as the Motivational System of Achievements

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The Loss of Motivation in Professional Chess

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High Motivation and Obstacles to the Peak Performance 

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Health Coaching: Motivating Lifestyle Change

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Nelson Mandela as the Source of Motivation for Young Activists

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The Social Network: Motivation of Facebook's Founder

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How Motivation Helps Overcome Academic Challenges

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Motivational Drive of the Nestle Employees

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Hierarchical Control: Link to Productivity and Motivation of Workers

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Research Report on Motivations of Serial Killers

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Swimming as a Tool to Develop Motivation in Young Children

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Mahatma Gandhi, Motivation to Continue for Millions in India

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Homework Assistance And Children'S Task Persistence

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Best topics on Motivation

1. What Motivates Me as a Student

2. Rising Above Negativity: A Journey in Music and Self-Belief

3. Main Disadvantages Reward System and Recognition

4. Carl Rogers and Anna’s Case Study

5. My Ambition Far Exceeded My Talents

6. Motivation: Learning What Motivates You

7. Motivation Of People Seeking For Revenge

8. Application Of Motivation Models In Employee Engagement

9. The Promising Advantages of Honor Codes for the Student’s Future

10. How My Favorite Author’s Work Has Changed Me

11. How Motivation and Dedication Helped Me to Find My Goal in Life

12. How to Succed in College and Avoid Dropping Out

13. Finding the Motivation to Focus on One Objective

14. Selfishness as an Integral Part of Human Nature

15. Who Moved My Cheese: Overcoming the Obstacles

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Motivation Essay | Essay on Motivation for Students and Children in English

February 13, 2024 by Prasanna

Motivation Essay:   Motivation is important in life because it helps us gain valued results like personal growth, better well-being, enhanced performance, or a sense of confidence. Motivation is a road to improve our way of feeling, thinking, and behaving. The advantages of motivation are seen in our way of living life.

You can read more  Essay Writing  about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

Long and Short Essays on Motivation for Students and Kids in English

If you are searching for an essay on motivation, you will find below two different articles that you can use to complete your class assignments. Here is the best long essay on motivation for the students of classes 7, 8, 9, and 10. Short essay on Motivation is helpful for students of classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6.

Long Essay on Motivation 500 Words in English

Motivation is an essential factor that changes positive thought into instant action. It switches a great idea into action and can undoubtedly affect the world around you. However, not all are born with motivation. People sometimes have disbelief in themselves; they often say, “I can’t do that” or “the timing is not right.” Being demotivated means living a life as a worn-out machine. Your life will become dull without any spark. So, to gain inner peace and satisfaction in life, you must always stay motivated.

Motivation is a force to push you closer toward your dream. If Steve Jobs lacked the motivation to launch Apple, you would not get an iPhone or iPad. It gives you a purpose to live you with a forever smile on the face. Thus, realizing and working on your self-motivation skills will make you capable of taking control of different aspects of life.

The critical elements of self-motivation are resilience and optimism. The former will help you bounce back during difficult times, whereas later, you will show you a brighter side ahead. This way, you will be able to control your emotions that are holding you back.

You need to locate the right motivation for you to get your spark back. You can find motivation from a wide range of effective sources, for example, from quotes, books, videos, parents, teachers, and even nature. Ultimately, you’ll learn rational thinking to overcome negative emotions when you are motivated in life.

Motivation also helps in making you active in life. You will struggle more to fulfill your goals. A self-motivated person always discovers a way to understand the issues hindering the path to complete a task. Moreover, they do not require other people’s support to accomplish a challenging task close to them.

Hence, motivation is one of the vital factors to be successful in any phase of your life. Whether personal or professional events both demand a person to stay positive to achieve the goals. As a motivated person, you will always try to push your limits and develop your performance level every day.

Moreover, you will continuously thrive on giving your best during every task. You will see that you remain dedicated and progressive towards the objectives of life. Lastly, your dreams and goals will come true as you always aimed.

So, always stay motivated in life without losing hope. When you stay motivated each day, it’ll push you closer to your goals. Learn to remain calm when you go through any hard day. It’s an excellent habit and must be applied in life. As a result, all your negative thoughts will start fading away.

Essay on Motivation

Short Essay on Motivation 200 Words in English

No doubt, a person goes through many types of difficulties in life. Some people lose hope and think of quitting. But is this the right step? Absolutely not. Failing once does not mean there is nothing left in life. There is always a way to fight back the hard times to achieve what you desire.

Whether you’re a school-going kid or a business owner, you lose the track and feel demotivated somewhere in life. But never lose hope, you can work towards your betterment by regaining your motivation.

If anytime in life, you feel hard to fight back and lose motivation, read positive quotes, or watch motivational videos online. You can even put the inspirational quotes on your walls. All you need is positivity and motivation in life. You’ll see soon after that you start tackling challenges one step at a time. Slowly you will reach the destination of success and will feel proud of yourself.

We will typically do our best when we have enough motivation. Motivation makes us do things correctly and perform well. You have higher odds of succeeding when you are fully inspired and put effort. It’ll help you give your best during every situation of life. So always work on your motivation.

10 Lines on Motivation Essay

  • Motivation is significant for the overall growth of your mind as well as personality.
  • It helps you focus on your goals based on values and skills.
  • Motivation is a necessary resource to improve and work productively during changing times as well as threats.
  • It boosts your desire to achieve a meaningful life goal.
  • You can listen to speeches, videos, read books, or quotes from inspirational people to rework on your lost motivation.
  • You will learn to fight your fears and negative thoughts when you are motivated.
  • Motivation helps professionals to be positive and happy while working hard to achieve goals.
  • When you are motivated, you learn to organize and prioritize your life.
  • Motivation help students to concentrate and work hard in the class.
  • It awakens the sense of meaning in life.

Essay About Motivation

FAQ’s on Motivation Essay

Question 1. Why do we need motivation in life?

Answer: Motivation is vital because it helps you achieve your goals and become the happiest person by never losing hope.

Question 2. What does motivation teach us?

Answer: You will learn to be self-confident, patient, optimistic, skills, time management, and fighting against your fears.

Question 3. How can I regain motivation in life?

Answer: You can read inspirational books, listen to seminars, and put inspirational quotes on the wall or desk to stay motivated in life.

Question 4. What are the benefits of staying motivated?

Answer: Motivation gives job satisfaction, boosts student engagement, improves relationships, and makes you successful.

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Motivation: The Driving Force Behind Our Actions

Verywell / Emily Roberts 

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The term motivation describes why a person does something. It is the driving force behind human actions. Motivation is the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors.

For instance, motivation is what helps you lose extra weight, or pushes you to get that promotion at work. In short, motivation causes you to act in a way that gets you closer to your goals. Motivation includes the biological , emotional , social , and cognitive forces that activate human behavior.

Motivation also involves factors that direct and maintain goal-directed actions. Although, such motives are rarely directly observable. As a result, we must often infer the reasons why people do the things that they do based on observable behaviors.

Learn the types of motivation that exist and how we use them in our everyday lives. And if it feels like you've lost your motivation, do not worry. There are many ways to develop or improve your self-motivation levels.

Press Play for Advice on Motivation

Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares an exercise you can use to help you perform your best. Click below to listen now.

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What Are the Types of Motivation?

The two main types of motivation are frequently described as being either extrinsic or intrinsic.

  • Extrinsic motivation arises from outside of the individual and often involves external rewards such as trophies, money, social recognition, or praise.
  • Intrinsic motivation is internal and arises from within the individual, such as doing a complicated crossword puzzle purely for the gratification of solving a problem.

A Third Type of Motivation?

Some research suggests that there is a third type of motivation: family motivation. An example of this type is going to work when you are not motivated to do so internally (no intrinsic motivation), but because it is a means to support your family financially.

Why Motivation Is Important

Motivation serves as a guiding force for all human behavior. So, understanding how motivation works and the factors that may impact it can be important for several reasons.

Understanding motivation can:

  • Increase your efficiency as you work toward your goals
  • Drive you to take action
  • Encourage you to engage in health-oriented behaviors
  • Help you avoid unhealthy or maladaptive behaviors, such as risk-taking and addiction
  • Help you feel more in control of your life
  • Improve your overall well-being and happiness

Click Play to Learn More About Motivation

This video has been medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE .

What Are the 3 Components of Motivation?

If you've ever had a goal (like wanting to lose 20 pounds or run a marathon), you probably already know that simply having the desire to accomplish these things is not enough. You must also be able to persist through obstacles and have the endurance to keep going in spite of difficulties faced.

These different elements or components are needed to get and stay motivated. Researchers have identified three major components of motivation: activation, persistence, and intensity.

  • Activation is the decision to initiate a behavior. An example of activation would be enrolling in psychology courses in order to earn your degree.
  • Persistence is the continued effort toward a goal even though obstacles may exist. An example of persistence would be showing up for your psychology class even though you are tired from staying up late the night before.
  • Intensity is the concentration and vigor that goes into pursuing a goal. For example, one student might coast by without much effort (minimal intensity) while another student studies regularly, participates in classroom discussions, and takes advantage of research opportunities outside of class (greater intensity).

The degree of each of these components of motivation can impact whether you achieve your goal. Strong activation, for example, means that you are more likely to start pursuing a goal. Persistence and intensity will determine if you keep working toward that goal and how much effort you devote to reaching it.

Tips for Improving Your Motivation

All people experience fluctuations in their motivation and willpower . Sometimes you feel fired up and highly driven to reach your goals. Other times, you might feel listless or unsure of what you want or how to achieve it.

If you're feeling low on motivation, there are steps you can take to help increase your drive. Some things you can do to develop or improve your motivation include:

  • Adjust your goals to focus on things that really matter to you. Focusing on things that are highly important to you will help push you through your challenges more than goals based on things that are low in importance.
  • If you're tackling something that feels too big or too overwhelming, break it up into smaller, more manageable steps. Then, set your sights on achieving only the first step. Instead of trying to lose 50 pounds, for example, break this goal down into five-pound increments.
  • Improve your confidence . Research suggests that there is a connection between confidence and motivation. So, gaining more confidence in yourself and your skills can impact your ability to achieve your goals.
  • Remind yourself about what you've achieved in the past and where your strengths lie. This helps keep self-doubts from limiting your motivation.
  • If there are things you feel insecure about, try working on making improvements in those areas so you feel more skilled and capable.

Causes of Low Motivation

There are a few things you should watch for that might hurt or inhibit your motivation levels. These include:

  • All-or-nothing thinking : If you think that you must be absolutely perfect when trying to reach your goal or there is no point in trying, one small slip-up or relapse can zap your motivation to keep pushing forward.
  • Believing in quick fixes : It's easy to feel unmotivated if you can't reach your goal immediately but reaching goals often takes time.
  • Thinking that one size fits all : Just because an approach or method worked for someone else does not mean that it will work for you. If you don't feel motivated to pursue your goals, look for other things that will work better for you.

Motivation and Mental Health

Sometimes a persistent lack of motivation is tied to a mental health condition such as depression . Talk to your doctor if you are feeling symptoms of apathy and low mood that last longer than two weeks.

Theories of Motivation

Throughout history, psychologists have proposed different theories to explain what motivates human behavior. The following are some of the major theories of motivation.

The instinct theory of motivation suggests that behaviors are motivated by instincts, which are fixed and inborn patterns of behavior. Psychologists such as William James, Sigmund Freud , and William McDougal have proposed several basic human drives that motivate behavior. They include biological instincts that are important for an organism's survival—such as fear, cleanliness, and love.

Drives and Needs

Many behaviors such as eating, drinking, and sleeping are motivated by biology. We have a biological need for food, water, and sleep. Therefore, we are motivated to eat, drink, and sleep. The drive reduction theory of motivation suggests that people have these basic biological drives, and our behaviors are motivated by the need to fulfill these drives.

Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs is another motivation theory based on a desire to fulfill basic physiological needs. Once those needs are met, it expands to our other needs, such as those related to safety and security, social needs, self-esteem, and self-actualization.

Arousal Levels

The arousal theory of motivation suggests that people are motivated to engage in behaviors that help them maintain their optimal level of arousal. A person with low arousal needs might pursue relaxing activities such as reading a book, while those with high arousal needs might be motivated to engage in exciting, thrill-seeking behaviors such as motorcycle racing.

The Bottom Line

Psychologists have proposed many different theories of motivation . The reality is that there are numerous different forces that guide and direct our motivations.

Understanding motivation is important in many areas of life beyond psychology, from parenting to the workplace. You may want to set the best goals and establish the right reward systems to motivate others as well as to  increase your own motivation .

Knowledge of motivating factors (and how to manipulate them) is used in marketing and other aspects of industrial psychology. It's an area where there are many myths, and everyone can benefit from knowing what works with motivation and what doesn't.

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Tranquillo J, Stecker M.  Using intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in continuing professional education .  Surg Neurol Int.  2016;7(Suppl 7):S197-9. doi:10.4103/2152-7806.179231

Menges JI, Tussing DV, Wihler A, Grant AM. When job performance is all relative: How family motivation energizes effort and compensates for intrinsic motivation . Acad Managem J . 2016;60(2):695-719. doi:10.5465/amj.2014.0898

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Zhou Y, Siu AF. Motivational intensity modulates the effects of positive emotions on set shifting after controlling physiological arousal . Scand J Psychol . 2015;56(6):613-21. doi:10.1111/sjop.12247

Mystkowska-Wiertelak A, Pawlak M. Designing a tool for measuring the interrelationships between L2 WTC, confidence, beliefs, motivation, and context . Classroom-Oriented Research . 2016. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-30373-4_2

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Siegling AB, Petrides KV. Drive: Theory and construct validation .  PLoS One . 2016;11(7):e0157295. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0157295

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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113 Motivation Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Motivation is the driving force behind our actions, thoughts, and behaviors. It is what pushes us to achieve our goals, overcome obstacles, and persevere through challenges. Writing an essay on motivation can be a great way to explore the topic and gain a deeper understanding of what motivates us as individuals.

To help you get started, here are 113 motivation essay topic ideas and examples that you can use as inspiration for your own writing:

  • The importance of setting goals and staying motivated
  • How to find motivation in times of adversity
  • The role of motivation in achieving success
  • The impact of motivation on mental health and well-being
  • Motivation and its connection to self-esteem and confidence
  • The difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
  • How to stay motivated when facing setbacks and failures
  • The relationship between motivation and procrastination
  • The role of motivation in education and learning
  • Motivation and its influence on job satisfaction and performance
  • The power of positive thinking and motivation
  • The impact of motivation on physical health and fitness
  • How to cultivate motivation in yourself and others
  • The role of motivation in leadership and management
  • Motivation and its effect on creativity and innovation
  • The connection between motivation and goal-setting
  • Motivation and its influence on decision-making
  • The relationship between motivation and self-discipline
  • Motivation and its impact on relationships and communication
  • The role of motivation in overcoming fears and insecurities
  • How to maintain motivation over the long term
  • The impact of motivation on personal growth and development
  • Motivation and its connection to happiness and fulfillment
  • The role of motivation in achieving work-life balance
  • Motivation and its effect on mental toughness and resilience
  • How to use motivation to overcome challenges and obstacles
  • The relationship between motivation and perseverance
  • Motivation and its influence on creativity and problem-solving
  • The role of motivation in building resilience and coping with stress
  • Motivation and its impact on decision-making and risk-taking
  • How to motivate others to achieve their goals
  • The connection between motivation and self-awareness
  • Motivation and its influence on emotional intelligence
  • The role of motivation in building a growth mindset
  • Motivation and its impact on self-care and self-love
  • How to use motivation to overcome self-doubt and insecurity
  • The relationship between motivation and passion
  • Motivation and its connection to purpose and meaning
  • The role of motivation in building confidence and self-esteem
  • Motivation and its influence on resilience and adaptability
  • How to cultivate motivation through mindfulness and meditation
  • The impact of motivation on creativity and innovation
  • Motivation and its connection to curiosity and exploration
  • The role of motivation in building relationships and community
  • Motivation and its influence on leadership and teamwork
  • How to use motivation to overcome fear of failure
  • The relationship between motivation and self-compassion
  • Motivation and its impact on mental health and well-being
  • Motivation and its influence on personal growth and development
  • How to maintain motivation during challenging times
  • The connection between motivation and resilience
  • Motivation and its connection to goal-setting and achievement
  • The role of motivation in building self-discipline and willpower
  • Motivation and its impact on decision-making and problem-solving
  • How to use motivation to overcome procrastination
  • The relationship between motivation and creativity
  • Motivation and its influence on emotional intelligence and self-awareness
  • Motivation and its connection to passion and purpose
  • How to cultivate motivation through positive thinking and affirmations
  • The impact of motivation on personal and professional success
  • The role of motivation in building healthy habits and routines
  • Motivation and its connection to self-care and self-love
  • How to maintain motivation during times of uncertainty
  • The connection between motivation and perseverance
  • Motivation and its connection to self-awareness and mindfulness
  • Motivation and its influence on decision-making and risk-taking
  • How to use motivation to overcome fears and insecurities
  • Motivation and its impact on personal and professional success
  • How to cultivate motivation through gratitude and appreciation
  • Motivation and its influence on decision-making and problem-solving

In conclusion, motivation is a powerful force that drives us to achieve our goals and overcome obstacles. By exploring the topic of motivation through essays, we can gain a deeper understanding of what motivates us as individuals and how we can cultivate motivation in ourselves and others. Whether you choose to write about the importance of setting goals, the role of motivation in achieving success, or the impact of motivation on mental health and well-being, there are endless possibilities for exploring this fascinating topic in your writing. So go ahead and choose a topic from the list above, or come up with your own idea, and start writing your motivation essay today!

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Motivation Science: Controversies and Insights

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Essay 1.1 What Is Motivation, Where Does It Come from, and How Does It Work?

  • Published: January 2023
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Motivation is the process that drives, selects, and directs goals and behaviors. Motivation typically arises out of the person’s needs, and it then comes to life through the person’s specific goals. In this essay, the authors examine the concept of “needs” as the crucible from which motivated behavior arises because all individuals are born with needs that jump-start the goal-oriented, motivated behaviors that are critical to survival and thriving. These are both physical needs (such as hunger and thirst) and psychological needs (such as the need for social relationships, optimal predictability, and competence). The aim of motivation is therefore to bring about a desired (need, goal) state. Motivation underlies and organizes all aspects of a person’s psychology. As it does so, motivation “glues” a person together as a functioning individual in their culture and context.

Motivation is often taken for granted in psychology, perhaps because it is hidden beneath the actions we take. The relative visibility of our actions and the relative invisibility of their motivational underpinnings may explain why some researchers—such as many who study cognition, intelligence, or personality—do not see their phenomena as arising from and importantly influenced by motivation. In fact, an eminent social-personality psychologist told one of us how his graduate school advisor had assured him that “motivation was assumed” and did not require further attention.

Our view is quite different. We see motivation as foundational to virtually all important actions or choices and therefore foundational for all forms of skilled performance or adaptive functioning. And, therefore, critical to acknowledge and understand.

But even for those of us who acknowledge and study motivation, many questions remain, and the purpose of this essay is to pose some of those questions and venture some answers to them.

What Is Motivation, and Where Does It Come From?

Motivation can be defined as the processes that drive, select, and direct behaviors (see Reeve, 2018 ), but direct them toward what? Toward our goals. In simpler terms, motivation answers the question: What do people want, and how do they go about getting it?

Where does motivation come from? How does it get started in the first place? To shed light on this, we turn to the concept of “needs.” We see needs as the crucible from which motivated behavior arises (see Deci & Ryan, 2000 ; Dweck, 2017 , 2021; Reeve, 2018 ). We are all born with needs that jump-start the goal-oriented, motivated behaviors that are critical to survival and thriving. These are both physical needs (such as hunger and thirst) and psychological needs (such as the need for social relationships, optimal predictability, and competence).

In fact, we are built not only to experience these needs but also to fulfill them. For example, babies have built-in attentional and behavioral preparedness that helps them orient toward and interact with hunger-fulfilling, relationship-building, and competence-building situations. Babies also have truly remarkable cognitive, information-processing, and inferential abilities that are present at birth to help them learn about need-fulfilling situations and further ensure that these critical needs will be met in the future ( Dweck, 2017 , 2021). Thus, we propose that these needs form the basis upon which human motivation is built.

We further propose that needs come to life through specific goals. That is, needs and the opportunities to fulfill them are not enough. Fulfilling needs requires a specific goal (a mental representation—an “image” in the mind—of a desired state) and then goal-oriented behavior designed to bring one closer to that state. Indeed, we view goals as the central concept in motivation (see Fishbach & Ferguson, 2007 ).

How does motivation change with development and experience? As children (and adults) pursue need-fulfilling goals in the context of their world (family, culture) and their biological make-up (e.g., temperament), they learn about what works and doesn’t work. That is, they learn which actions in which situations lead to pleasurable outcomes and which don’t. They then use this information to build models of themselves, other people, and their world and how it all works, and they use these models to guide future goal choices and goal pursuit strategies (see Dweck, 2017 , 2021). Of course, these models are flexible and take people well beyond the basic needs they are all born with.

As people develop, then, they build a repertoire of need-fulfilling goals and the means to achieve them. Over time, their pattern of goal choices and goal pursuit may become more recurrent, characteristic, or “trait-like” and may become what we might call their personality—their characteristic ways of thinking, feeling, and acting (see Dweck, 2021 ; McCabe & Fleeson, 2016 ). That is, we may see the developing patterns of goal pursuit as a basis for the development of personality.

How Does Motivation Work?

How do people choose among the many goals they could pursue? Above, we defined goals as mental representations of desired states, but every moment presents us with many opportunities to imagine desired states and act in ways that bring us closer to those states. With all the internal stimuli (thoughts, feelings) and external stimuli bombarding us at any given time, how do we even begin to decide what we desire and what we wish to pursue?

Some theories propose that there is a dedicated brain area, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, that computes and compares the values of different possible goals and decides which is the best choice (e.g., Levy & Glimcher, 2012 ). Instead, we suggest that the winning goals are not chosen by an all-knowing overseer, but rather emerge from the pack based on the strength of their mental representation or, loosely speaking, the strength of their activation in our minds. Do we want to prepare for an upcoming presentation? Or FaceTime with a good friend? Or watch a video we’ve been eager to see? We suggest that both internal and external stimuli can heighten or dampen the representations of these candidate goals based on the costs and benefits of each; that is, how much we value that goal, how salient it is to us at that moment, and how easy or hard it will be to achieve.

Those goal representations that are activated more than others or activated beyond a certain threshold are the likely frontrunners to becoming active goals. We view this process as continuous and dynamic, so that goals can recede or come forward from one moment to the next. Yet it would not be adaptive to change course every other moment. Therefore, in this context, it is interesting to think about what sustains goals that require long-term pursuit so that they are not superseded or crowded out by momentary upstarts. Thus, we need to understand

how people invest longer-term goals with importance (greater representational strength) that lasts,

how people create shorter-term, subordinate goals that are rewarding (in themselves and as markers of progress) to keep themselves on track toward the longer-term goals,

and how other self-regulatory processes might help people to keep pursuing important longer-term goals even in the absence of more immediate rewards or obvious progress.

Are we saying that motivation is mostly about factors that are internal to the person? Many motivational processes, being psychological, can be considered internal, but contexts and environments are also critical. They not only shape people’s motivation over time and in the moment, but also are key to the success of people’s goal pursuits. In a recent study with a nationally representative sample, Yeager and his colleagues (2020, 2022; see also Yeager et al., 2019 ) examined the effects of a motivational intervention for US students making the difficult transition to high school. The intervention taught students a growth mindset: the idea that their intelligence is not fixed and that they can grow their brains and develop their academic and intellectual abilities. The program also included exercises in which students considered how they could put a growth mindset into practice in their schoolwork.

We found meaningful effects of the intervention on math grades for students whose math teachers held more of a growth mindset, but, interestingly, not for students whose math teachers held more of a fixed mindset. This was true even though students from both contexts showed equal enthusiasm for the concept and equal desire to put it into action right after the intervention sessions. These findings suggest that teachers with more of a growth mindset created an environment in which students’ new or enhanced growth mindset beliefs and behaviors could be put into practice, take root, and turn into higher grades, whereas teachers with more of a fixed mindset did not. That is, when supportive practices or opportunities were lacking, enhanced motivation to pursue challenges and persist in the face of difficulty could not be sustained.

What Is the Scope of Motivation?

Is all behavior motivated? We propose that virtually all voluntary behavior is motivated. It is at some level chosen, initiated, pursued, and terminated (see, e.g., Kruglanski & Szumowska, 2020 ). It is at some level goal-directed no matter how trivial that goal may seem, such as shifting one’s position for a different proprioceptive or sensory experience.

However, not all motivated behavior is about overt actions. As we noted, motivated behavior is aimed at bringing us closer to a desired state. As such, our definition of behavior is broad—it can include changes in attention, perception, thoughts, and emotions, and it need not always involve overt actions. For example, imagine that we’re running late for work when our young child shatters a jar of jam all over the kitchen floor. Our initial response may be anger, but that conflicts with the goal of being a calm and supportive parent. In that context, we can bring ourselves closer to this desired state through “cognitive reappraisal” of the situation. Here, we can reappraise our child’s action as an attempt to be helpful or more grown-up by getting their own breakfast jam from the refrigerator. Research shows that such motivated efforts to regulate our emotions have a very wide scope indeed ( Uusberg et al., 2019 ). For example, a recent large-scale study of more than 20,000 participants from 87 countries found evidence that people can effectively reduce negative emotions and increase positive emotions through this type of covert action ( Wang et al., 2021 ).

Is motivation conscious or unconscious? We suggest it is mostly the latter. We often do not know which stimuli, internal or external, are triggering or sustaining a goal; that is, which sensations, perceptions, thoughts, beliefs, or emotions are at work at the time we select a goal or at the time we are pursuing a goal. Many of these processes may be potentially “knowable” but are not typically in awareness. For example, although a fixed mindset (the belief that intelligence is fixed and cannot be developed) may sometimes discourage people from taking on challenges, few people are probably aware of this as they reject a challenge in favor of something easier. Yet this belief-to-behavior link is something that can be known, and, when it is, people may perhaps begin to think about exercising different choices. That is, they may change from thinking of themselves as simply a person who doesn’t like challenges to someone who hasn’t liked challenges in the past because of a belief they held.

Are there any kinds of psychological processes that do not play a role in motivation? No. We propose that all types of psychological processes (sensations, perceptions, thoughts, beliefs, emotions, action representations) can play a role in motivation—perhaps not all of them all the time, but all of them some of the time. Many kinds of currently activated psychological processes work together to orient people toward particular goals in particular situations and to sustain or curtail the pursuit of those goals over time—which brings us to our next question.

In which areas of psychology is motivation important to study and understand? All of them. To a large extent, the areas of psychology are artificially separated (by their focus and their methods), but real people are not carved up in these ways. For example, we do not have separate social and cognitive selves. Instead, motivation underlies and organizes all aspects of a person’s psychology, “glues” them together, and produces a functioning person. The field of psychology needs to recognize that we may never deeply understand people by studying parts of them in isolation.

In summary, we have discussed, in broad strokes, our view of what motivation is, where it comes from, and how it operates. Although motivational forces are often “hidden” beneath our actions, they are always there driving and directing our behavior—and they are foundational for virtually all forms of skilled behavior and adaptive functioning. It is therefore of the greatest importance to understand these forces and their workings in order to help people maximize their learning, growth, and well-being as they operate in their cultures and contexts.

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Tips for Writing Your Motivational Statement and Essays

While it’s one of our favorite parts of the application reading experience, we know that writing essay components can be anxiety-inducing for applicants. As you start or continue your application , we hope you find this guidance on the motivational statement and essays helpful.

Motivational Statement

All students applying to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) , MA in Public Policy (MA) , MS in Computational Analysis and Public Policy (MSCAPP) , and MA in Public Policy with Certificate in Research Methods (MACRM) programs are required to submit a 300-word motivational statement answering the questions: Why policy? Why Harris? (Or a version of these questions more specific to your program).

Some suggestions as you are thinking about your answers to these questions:

Answer the prompt. Don’t worry about using precious space to introduce yourself—jump right into answering the question. 

Write first, edit later. Get your ideas onto the page—whether that means bullet points, idea webs, or a journal entry. Don’t worry about crafting the perfect opener, meeting the word count, or checking grammar when you are first getting started.  

Reflect. Think about the professional, personal, or academic experience that has inspired you. 

Be specific. When answering Why Harris? , be specific to the University of Chicago and Harris. Analyze why certain programs, centers, classes, or professors made you want to apply here. 

Optional Essay Questions

Although the Motivation Statement is required, the essay questions are optional. For all optional essay questions, we aren’t just interested in the “right answer,” but how you are thinking about and approaching these complex questions.

Students applying to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program may pick any of the three questions below. Completing question three will allow you to be considered for Pearson fellowships open only to MPP students.

Students applying to the MA in Public Policy (MA) , MS in Computational Analysis and Public Policy (MSCAPP) , and MA in Public Policy with Certificate in Research Methods (MACRM) programs may choose to complete optional essays 1 and

Option 1: Challenge—Describe briefly the biggest challenge you have ever faced. How did you tackle it and what did you learn? (max 300 words)

Tip: In essay one, you may write about a personal, professional, or academic challenge when answering this question. Perhaps more than the challenge itself, we are interested in how you tackled the challenge, and what you learned in the process.

Option 2: Community—Where do you see yourself getting involved in the community during your time at Harris—either at the University of Chicago or in the city of Chicago? (max 300 words)

Tip: If you are answering essay two, please make sure to speak specifically to Harris or UChicago.

Option 3: Pearson—If you would like to be considered for  The Pearson Fellowship , please answer the following: In reflecting on the complexities of past and present protracted global conflicts, please analyze what singular global conflict most puzzles you personally, and discuss why.

Tip: Please note that “global conflict” can refer to a range of conflicts (i.e. inter/intra state; those involving non-state actors, etc.) and a range of issues associated (i.e. refugee crises, religious conflict, gang violence, drug wars, domestic violence, etc.). Remember to consider: Is the conflict actually puzzling? For example, does it involve actors acting against their own best interest, or operating irrationally?​ And finally, for the purposes of this essay, you will not need to cite sources.

We hope you find these tips helpful as you move your application forward.

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The Power Of Motivation Essay & Paragraph Writing Example

Here is what you are searching for about motivation. By reading the following paragraphs, you can learn a lot about the power of motivation. I hope you will find this one excellent essay for your requirements.

Table of Contents

Short Paragraph On Motivation For Students

If you want to achieve great things, you have to be motivated. The Motivation is what gets us out of bed in the morning and drives us to work hard and achieve our goals. Without motivation, we’d probably stay in bed all day doing nothing .

There are many factors that can influence our motivation, such as our environment, our goals, and our emotions. However, the most important factor is often our own attitude. When we are motivated, we find a way to achieve our goals; if we are not motivated, we will find a way to avoid them. So how can we stay motivated? There isn’t one answer that applies to all of them, but there are some general tips that can help.

First, we need to set realistic goals and make sure our motivations are based on our own desires and not those of others. We also need to find a way to enjoy what we are doing so it doesn’t feel like a chore. And finally, even in difficult times, we need to remain positive and believe in ourselves. With these tips, everyone can stay motivated and achieve their goals. Remember to keep pushing forward and never give up!

Also read paragraph about self reliance

The Importance Of Motivation In Our Life

Motivation is a source of inspiration for people to achieve their goals.Without motivation, life becomes boring and there is nothing he can do. In our everyday lives, we feel so bored and have no interest in doing anything without wanting to.

We all know that God gave us a brain, but how do you use that brain? This question only comes up when we have no desires, interests, or motivation to do something. Each of us likes different things, such as traveling; some like reading books and watching movies; some like playing games; etc.

So, if we stay motivated with one thing, we will be interested in learning new things about that activity, which we will learn about because we love or want it. Just as I love to write articles on different topics , I always stay motivated as an author by looking for new topics that can motivate me and, on the other hand, my readers.

Motivation is the energy for us to make our dreams come true. If we stay motivated, we can do anything with full strength and hard work, and on the other hand, if we lose motivation, we feel like we cannot do anything, but only lack of interest or boredom leads us to depression. So you have to find ways to keep yourself motivated all the time.

Essay On Motivation

Introduction : Motivation is the driving force that drives us to achieve our goals and aspirations. It is a complex psychological construct that encompasses various factors, including our needs, wants, and desires. In simple terms, motivation is the reason behind why we do what we do.

  • Types of motivation
  • Theory of motivation by Maslow’s Hierarchy
  • Role of self determination

There are different types of motivation, the most basic being intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation comes from within, and it is driven by the desire to engage in an activity for its own sake, such as reading a book for pleasure or playing a sport for fun. On the other hand, extrinsic motivation comes from external factors, such as rewards or incentives, such as money, grades or recognition.

One of the key theories of motivation is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which suggests that people are motivated by different needs at different levels. The lowest level of needs is physiological needs, such as food, shelter, and safety, followed by safety needs, such as security and stability. The next level is love and belonging needs, such as relationships and social connections, followed by esteem needs, such as self-esteem and self-worth. The highest level is self-actualization needs, such as personal growth and self-fulfillment.

Another important theory of motivation is Self-Determination Theory, which suggests that people are motivated when they feel that they have autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Autonomy refers to the sense of control and choice, competence refers to the sense of mastery and effectiveness, and relatedness refers to the sense of connection and belonging.

Motivation can be enhanced by several factors such as setting clear and challenging goals, providing feedback, creating a positive work environment, and promoting a sense of autonomy. On the other hand, demotivating factors can include a lack of autonomy, a lack of feedback, and a lack of opportunities for personal growth and development.

In conclusion, motivation is a complex psychological construct that drives us to achieve our goals and aspirations. Different types of motivation exist, and theories such as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Self-Determination Theory offer insight into what motivates individuals. Motivation can be enhanced by several factors such as setting clear and challenging goals, providing feedback, creating a positive work environment, and promoting a sense of autonomy.

Motivational Essay About Life

Introduction : Life is a precious gift that is meant to be lived to the fullest. It is a journey filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, and moments of triumph and defeat. But through it all, the one thing that can keep us going is motivation.

  • Importance of motivation
  • Step to find motivation for life
  • Key aspects of motivation

Motivation is the driving force that propels us forward, giving us the energy and determination to overcome challenges and achieve our goals. It is the spark that ignites our passion and the fuel that powers our dreams. Without it, life can feel like a never-ending cycle of drudgery and despair.

The first step to finding motivation in life is to set clear and attainable goals. These goals should be specific, measurable, and time-bound, and they should align with our values and passions. When we have something to work towards, we have a sense of purpose and direction, and this can give us the drive to keep moving forward.

Another key aspect of motivation is having a positive attitude. Life is full of obstacles, but it’s how we choose to view them that makes all the difference. When we approach challenges with a positive attitude, we’re more likely to see opportunities instead of roadblocks. We’re also more resilient and better equipped to handle difficult situations.

It’s also important to surround ourselves with supportive and encouraging people. The people we surround ourselves with can have a profound impact on our motivation and outlook on life. Surrounding ourselves with positive and supportive people can help boost our confidence and give us the encouragement we need to keep going.

Self-care is also crucial for staying motivated. Taking care of our physical, emotional, and mental well-being is essential for maintaining a positive outlook and staying energized. Eating well, getting enough sleep, and engaging in regular exercise can help us feel better physically, while practicing mindfulness and self-reflection can help us feel better emotionally and mentally.

Finally, remember to celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may be. Recognizing and celebrating our accomplishments can help us stay motivated and remind us of all we’ve achieved.

In conclusion, motivation is the key to living a fulfilling and meaningful life. It is the driving force that propels us forward, giving us the energy and determination to overcome challenges and achieve our goals. By setting clear and attainable goals, having a positive attitude, surrounding ourselves with supportive people

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Home / Essay Samples / Psychology / Child Development / Motivation

Motivation Essay Examples

Attribution theory in organizational behavior.

Attribution theory, a prominent concept in social psychology, has significant implications in organizational behavior. This psychological framework explores how individuals attribute causes to behavior, events, and outcomes, and its application in the workplace helps us understand employee motivation, performance, and interpersonal dynamics. In this essay,...

The Necessity of Self-motivation

'You can motivate by fear. And you can motivate by reward. But both of these methods are only temporary. The only lasting thing is self-motivation.' - Homer Rice. In self motivation essays authors usually share pure tips how to motivate yourself, but they sometimes forget...

What Motivates You in Life - the Biggest Dreams

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What Motivates Me: a Personal Reflection

Every individual is driven by unique motivations that shape their aspirations, decisions, and actions. Understanding what motivates us provides insight into our passions, values, and goals. In this essay, I will reflect on what motivates me and delve into the factors that ignite my drive...

Personal Experience of Helping Someone: What Drives Me to Do This

My task for this paper was to 'narrate your personal experience of helping someone', that is the main topic for this paper. Here my personal experience of helping will be introduced. Then, the motivations of helping and the reason why I would be the only...

An Ideal Learning Community: Plc and Teacher Empowerment

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Motivation in Learning Second Language

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My Motivation to Get Summer Program in China

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Motivation in Second Language Learning: a Historical Overview

The concept of motivation always regarded in human societies particularly for scholars and educational experts.  In this paper, we review the theoretical perspectives that have been submitted over the past 4 decades and associated with language acquisition, this review also covers the important results of...

Theories of Motivation: Analysis of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Hertzberg’s Two Factor Theory

Numerous psychologists have contributed to the theories of motivation which most organizations use as a tool to aid in efficiency and effectiveness of employees. The theory of motivation can be approached from various perspective, however, they all share common factors that there is a link...

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About Motivation

Motivation is the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. It is what causes you to act, whether it is getting a glass of water to reduce thirst or reading a book to gain knowledge. Motivation involves the biological, emotional, social, and cognitive forces that activate behavior.

There are four main tyoes of motivation: Intrinsic, extrinsic, unconscious, and conscious.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Herzberg's two-factor theory, Alderfer's ERG theory, Self-Determination Theory, Drive theory.

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