3 surprising scientific facts about intrinsic motivation - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 3 surprising scientific facts about intrinsic motivation - Introvert Whisperer 3 surprising scientific facts about intrinsic motivation Home to office and office to home â€" that is what life is these days. With our days being so mundane and monotonous, it sure becomes challenging to stay motivated. And if that wasnt enough to make you sulk, the superficial and condescending world out there is waiting to get your blues up and your morale down. Personally, Ive always struggled with motivation â€" be it in my career as a writer or at the gym while doing a lap. Thanks to the saturnine cloud of pessimism that hovers over me, I have always been the under-confident one. But I never wanted to be that way. None of us does actually. We all want to feel up and about and enjoy life. We all want to leave our houses every morning with the zest to conquer the challenges that the world throws at us. We all want to grow an appetite to learn more from life. So where do we drive inspiration from? Well, thanks to groundbreaking research on the science of motivation, we now have a more logical and practical answer. 3 SCIENTIFIC TRUTHS ABOUT MOTIVATION Let us unravel the mysteries of motivation and delve deeper into the enigma that motivation is. 1. It is all in your head The sceptre rests in your hand. How you perceive a task and think about it has a lot to do about how you deal with it. Telling yourself that you do not want to do the job, and then goading yourself to do it brings down your level of enthusiasm. In the book Science of Motivation, author and motivational keynote speaker Brian Tracy explains the three primary factors that come between us and motivation. It is upon you to identify these factors and change your thought processes to feel the positive push. They are: I have to If you think that you are being forced to do something, it naturally brings down your level of gusto. Sometimes, you may have to do certain things as a workplace or domestic obligation even when you are not exactly keen about it. Remember one thing â€" it was you who had made the choices because you wanted the perks and benefits. You get up every morning and go to your workplace because you need financial security. I don’t feel right If a task is opposed to your values or beliefs, you are less likely to find enough zeal to do it. Back when I had my 9 to 5 job, this often happened to me. Every time I was asked to work overtime, I sulked at my workstation, which brought down my productivity by notches. With time, I learnt the art of realigning my tasks so that I was at the winning end. Wondering how? The next time you had to work some extra hours, try to trade it for some time off  on another day. And if you are a money person, then you could use the financial incentive on a nice vacation or a nice dress that you had your eyes on. I can’t do this Confidence and motivation go hand in hand â€" that is no rocket science. If you are engulfed with self-doubt and feel that you would surely fail if assigned the task, things would go even more downhill for you. And how can you possibly know that you would fail if you don’t take an attempt at solving it? So consider it as one of the many challenges that life hurls at us and try to beat it. If you need help, ask for it. Tell a colleague to help you out with the work reports. Take assignment help if you cannot understand how to go about the essay. But do not stop yourself from doing it. 2. Dopamine has a role to play Although usually associated with pleasure, Dopamine  has a more significant role to play when it comes to motivation. Scientists have found that Dopamine responds to emotions other than pleasure. The neurotransmitter generally goes down at times of pain and loss as opposed to firing up when one is happy and confident. But it isn’t as easy as it seems. A behavioral neuro-scientific research found out that Dopamine is independent and dynamic. To put it in simple words, the organic chemical acts up differently in different kinds of people according to the choices they make. In the research, neurosurgeons used brain-mapping technology to analyze the brain patterns of several human subjects and found out that there were two kinds of people. They are: The go-getters are people who are willing to work for rewards. The research team observed that such people had higher levels of Dopamine in the striatum and ventromedial prefrontal cortex â€" the area in the brain that is responsible for practical and rational thinking. The slackers are the people who arent affected by materialistic rewards. On the other hand, they are more moved by recognition. In the case of the emotional section of people, the higher level of Dopamine was associated with the anterior insula â€" the area responsible for emotions and risks. This makes it imperative to understand how to target the right areas of the brain for dopamine production according to the kind of person one is. 3. Right eating habits can motivate you We often don’t pay heed to our lifestyle and eating habits. You need to remember that the food you eat has a more critical role to play in your overall life than just acting as the fuel for your body. Junk food doesnt just mess up your metabolism. It affects you mentally too. The right kind of food can help you control stress and fight depression, thus boosting your willpower. Here are some of the doctors-prescribed food items that have been scientifically proven to boost your morale. Tuna The sea-based protein contains B6 â€" the vitamin that is used to prevent and treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Since tuna helps to keep inattention and impulsivity in check, it automatically helps you in staying more focused, thus motivating you to accomplish your tasks faster. Spinach The Harvard Medical School has proved that green leafy vegetables such as spinach improve learning capacity and motor skills. With better skills, you become more confident, thus providing you with more motivation. Blueberries Blueberries can act as one of the most lethal weapons when it comes to gaining focus and engagement. And when you are more engaged with your work, it becomes easier for you to stay motivated throughout. Pecans A favorite among sportspersons (who need motivation more than anyone else!), pecans can help you deal with depression and post-workout fatigue due to its high levels of choline levels. It also increases endurance levels, which in turn, motivate you to work more. Greek Yogurt All types of yogurts are rich in the amino acid called tyrosine that produces Dopamine. And you already know what Dopamine can do to your levels of motivation and energy. However, I suggested the Greek version because its packed with protein and calcium too. Green Tea Green tea is like the mom in the family â€" one who has a solution to all your problems. Thanks to catechins, green tea helps you reduce mental stress. A cup of the green manna can also help you develop a positive outlook, thus boosting your morale. Coffee Your morning cup of joe just doesn’t wake you up. The caffeine present in coffee can increase levels of Dopamine in your brain and gives you that extra push. So every time you feel low, just hit the cafeteria and drink up! Avocado A research by Kansas State University has proved that avocados keep brain cell membranes flexible, which in turn regulates healthy blood flow. So, dip deep into the guacamole spread next time you sulk. Dark Chocolate Dark chocolate is the MVP here. It prevents cancer, promotes weight loss, is an aphrodisiac, and it tastes yum. And that is not where it ends. The content of cocoa helps produce endorphins and serotonin in the brains, which not only makes you happy but also helps you stay focused. Water So you know what happens to your body when you dont drink enough water? You become lethargic and distracted, which of course, messes up your zeal. So make sure you drink  at least  2 liters of water each day. Staying motivated is a choice that you need to make. And now that you know the things that can help you retain your gung ho attitude, better get moving! So start over anew and make it fun this time. And in the end, always remember that you are stronger than you give yourself credit for. Author Bio: Sienna Brown is a behavioral analyst and a self-growth writer. She also acts as a student’s counselor for academic sites like MyAssignmenthelp.com. She is an active blogger and certified yoga instructor. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer