How To Force Your Brain To Crave Doing Hard Things

In this comprehensive exploration of intrinsic motivation, Rian Doris, Co-Founder & CEO of Flow Research Collective, discusses the power of tapping into internal drivers such as curiosity, mastery, audacity, purpose, and autonomy.

He highlights how these factors can lead to heightened focus, productivity, and the ability to enter flow states, where individuals feel and perform at their best.

Purpose, another intrinsic motivator, provides a bigger cause or mission beyond oneself.

It increases persistence and well-being by connecting individual tasks to a broader vision or goal.

This connection can enhance motivation and satisfaction in work.

Autonomy, the feeling of being in control of one’s work, is a critical intrinsic motivator.

It can be increased by perceiving work as part of a larger life trajectory that an individual is shaping and controlling.

Autonomy also involves developing skills, knowledge, and a network that provide options outside of a current role.

Intrinsic motivation makes you less likely to be manipulated by external rewards or to behave and make decisions influenced by things like money, status, and punishment. – Rian Doris

Intrinsic motivation can lead to increased focus, productivity, and goal achievement.

It allows individuals to engage with work for the experience itself, rather than relying on external rewards or fear of failure.

This focus on the work itself can lead to a state of flow and increased satisfaction.

Flow cycling involves intentionally moving in and out of flow throughout the day.

It requires a balance between challenge and skill, ensuring that the difficulty level of a task matches an individual’s abilities.

Mastery of flow cycling can help individuals sustain their motivation and avoid burnout.

Mastering flow cycling enables individuals to consistently experience the benefits of flow, such as heightened focus, creativity, and fulfillment, while also maintaining their overall well-being.

It allows for a smooth transition between flow states and non-flow states, contributing to sustained motivation and productivity.

Curiosity, an intrinsic motivator, activates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine and increasing attention and pleasure in learning.

It is the insatiable itch to learn everything about one’s work, contributing to sustained motivation and engagement.

Intrinsic motivation helps individuals become increasingly immune to the types of suffering that can derail their lives.

It allows them to prioritize mastery, purpose, audacity, curiosity, and autonomy over money, position, applause, conformity, and approval.

Focusing on what one is good at rather than solely what one likes to do can lead to increased audacity and love for those activities.

Strengths are triggers for flow, and the more time spent in activities while in flow, the more one comes to love that activity.

Boosting intrinsic motivation involves raising each of the five intrinsic motivators by five points per year.

This strategy can help sustain a high level of motivation and make work feel effortless, leading to increased productivity and satisfaction.