Intrinsic: A manifesto to reignite our inner drive

by Sharath Jeevan

We are in a motivational mess today.

Many of us feel like we are going through the motions - as workers, managers, spouses and partners, parents and citizens. We feel jaded and unhappy with the organizations we are part of, whether that's the company we work for or our child's school. And some of us feel deeply alienated from the wider societies in which we live, particularly in the face of vast social problems - from climate change to our increasingly 'winner takes all' world.

But life doesn't need to be this way. Motivation thinking holds the key to this promise. Intrinsic uses motivation thinking not just to accurately diagnose these problems, but to find solutions. As a leading expert on motivation, Sharath Jeevan helps us see how we can achieve more lasting fulfilment and success in our work, careers, relationships, parenting, and as citizens.

Jeevan applies the concepts of Purpose (how what we do helps others), Autonomy (our ability to positively change things) and Mastery (our sense of continually getting better) to help us see our motivation in these key life areas in a radically new light.

Jeevan takes us on a journey around the world to find practical and inspirational answers to solving our motivational crisis, harnessing ground-breaking research, from psychology and economics to philosophy and behavioural science.

Intrinsic shows us how we can fall back in love with our lives, and create the lives we want.

Genres: Self Help

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2021

Reviews

[Andrew]

What motivates us? In 'Intrinsic', Sharath Jeevan OBE makes the case that intrinsic motivation is a powerful driver of both fulfilment and success.

Factors key to intrinsic motivation are a clear sense of purpose ('knowing how what you do helps and serves others'), autonomy ('believing in your ability and agency to actually change things for the better') and mastery ('the sense of being on a continual, almost infinite, journey of improvement towards being the best version of yourself you can be').

Extrinsic factors - pay, good working conditions, formal career structures - are important too. But once they are in place as 'hygiene factors', intrinsic factors are needed to keep our motivation sustained. And the use of contingent rewards ('carrots and sticks') can actually undermine intrinsic motivation in the longer term.

Thought-provoking. Recommended for a valuable perspective that runs counter to much of the thinking that dominated recent decades.

[Md Akhlaq · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗰: 𝗔 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 by Sharath Jeevan

#qotd When was the last time you did something simply for the enjoyment of the activity itself?

Intrinsic motivation correlates to behaviour that is navigated by inner gratifications. In other words, the motivation to immerse in a behaviour originates from within the individual because it is naturally gratifying to you.

Playing diverse roles in different facets of life, we feel unconcerned, dissatisfied with the system, co-workers, whether that's the organization we work for or our society. We just look for problems rather than solutions. Intrinsic shows that we do not have to think that way. We can regulate our internal realm, even if we can not regulate the external realm. Still, we can make considerable alterations, and fall back to a well-balanced life.

This book by Sharath Jeevan includes very many of his project outreaches, where the author engagingly pulls together research, anecdotes and commentary based on his experience across various sectors. This can give you a sense of progress when you see that your work is achieving something positive or competent when you learn something new or become more skilled at a task.

Sharath Jeevan brings you on a wonderful journey to discover the voice of your true self. Practical, and inspirational guide of psychology, philosophy, and behavioural science.

This was very easy to read and follow. It is loaded with gems that have already encouraged me so much. He is contending that whatever is going on in your life - good or bad - there is a place within you that is amicable, and you have a choice of what you want to feel. It is not a well-worn self-help book, fairly an interesting book, curbing seminal research.

#intrinsicmotivation #sharathjeevan
#intrinsic #intrinsicvalue #readwithak

[Priya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can be applied to all areas of our lives - a relatable read for everyone. Thanks to Sharath for sharing his insights and experiences!

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

认真读完了整本书，讲个人方面的比较在行，在讲到社会政治的时候略显不足。作者在个人领域上的体悟是比较深的。