Intrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic Motivation

A woman holds a red star-shaped object over one eye, with colorful abstract shapes and a small figure in a box in the background.
Play isn’t frivolous — and by denying playful impulses, you could be holding yourself back.
Jono Hey smiling outdoors with doodle art of a person and a star overlaid on the image.
Jono Hey — whose sketches have been shared by the likes of Bill Gates and Steven Bartlett — draws some of his most valued leadership insights.
A sculpture depicts a human head with the top open like a birdcage. A lone white feather, symbolizing lost motivation, lies on the ground outside the cage on a blue background.
Big Think recently spoke with behavioral scientist and author Katy Milkman about what really motivates us and steers our behavior.
A group of people hugging in front of a secret camera.
Intrinsic motivation cannot be imposed on a team — but you can provide the right culture for it to flourish.
Black and yellow halftone illustration of a smiling woman with wavy hair, shown from the shoulders up, in a vintage pop art style.
6mins
From marketing to social media, today’s world preys on your values. Here’s how to reclaim them and find true happiness.
A child standing in front of a wall of jellyfish.
Despite a reputation for catastrophe and cat killings, curiosity is a beneficial drive that improves our lives and well-being.
Black and white engraving-style illustration of a human eye in close-up, with detailed lines depicting the iris, pupil, and eyelids—capturing the intense focus and clarity of the flow state.
‘Flow state’ is a peak performance mental state experienced by the world's highest achievers. Learn how it works in just 7 minutes.
John Templeton Foundation
A person stands inside a glowing circle with sparks flying around in arcs, capturing the essence of "What is flow state," as the word "FLOW" appears in bold white letters across the center.
Peak performance mind hack explained in 7 minutes.
Why does creative flow feel so good?
Flow occurs when a task’s challenge is balanced with one’s skill.
A child showing their drawing to the camera
A professor of educational psychology explains what and what not to do.