Motivation in the Training field – by Awatif M. Al-Ameeri

Motivation is essential in any field of learning. Whether you are a new student, hardworking trainee, a language learner or even an amateur artist. If you do not have any motivation to push you forward, you will never achieve your objectives or fulfill your needs. Motivation is the key to leading a successful, educated and well-balanced future. Without motivation, a learner may always be lost, grounded or unable to find their way.

First, let’s begin by defining motivation. According to Cambridge dictionary, “Motivation is the enthusiasm and need or reason to do something.” It’s the drive that gets things done. It’s the generator that keeps a doer or a learner to continue their journey of success despite the obstacles they might encounter. It activates and directs a human’s passion and devotion which shall lead them to high levels of success. So where can an individual find this motivation, passion and determination?

There are two basic types of Motivation. There is Intrinsic Motivation and there is Extrinsic motivation. In intrinsic motivation, the stimuli comes from within. The individual performs a specific task based on a desire he has inside and a belief system that he withholds. In order to fulfil this desire and this belief system, he must guide himself independently without relying on any other source of fuel. There is a wide variety of Intrinsic Motivation such as Acceptance, Honor, Power, Social Status, Curiosity, and more. However, we, as humans, differ when it comes to our intrinsic motivation. Therefore each learner must acknowledge what drives them forward and what their beliefs system is in order to empower themselves to face the challenge of everyday life without needing anyone.   

On the contrary, extrinsic motivation is an outer source that must come from others. The stimuli that drives the person to do something isn’t inward. It may come from a teacher, a trainer, a friend or a manager. Consequently, the need and desire to perform a task or achieve a goal relies only on the benefits the learner will receive from others such as high marks, a promotion, money, rewards, trophies, status, etc. Without this outer support, a learner will not be enthusiastic or willing to achieve anything or put any effort to succeed.

Considering this with the absence of intrinsic motivation in many students today, educators, trainers and teachers are feeling hopeless trying to reach out to these unmotivated learners. How far should they try to influence them to fulfill their dreams? What methods should they apply or tools should they use in order to help them? Should they modify their strategies in training and teaching? Should they leave them alone and let them find their own way to success? And many more questions come to mind. Some educators believe that if a learner does not have inner interest, their time and efforts will never be effective on them.

In conclusion, both motivation types are connected. An educator must trigger and embrace the learner’s intrinsic motivation by building their self-worth and confidence, helping them understand what a goal and a dream are, and providing them with techniques they can implement for a better future. The powerful role of trainers, teachers and educators in a learner’s life is beyond any materialistic reward. Their compassion and support are the best extrinsic motivation on a learner’s life.

– by Awatif M. Al-Ameeri