Daily Dose of Positivity: Intrinsic motivation- Media effect

 Once upon a time, just the act of experiencing or accomplishing something was enough to make us feel good about ourselves, without any external validation. These moments gave us intrinsic satisfaction; happiness or enjoyment that comes from within us, not from anywhere else. Pictures we could share wouldn’t even arrive for months.

However, the omnipresence of social media—enabled by equally ubiquitous smartphones—has dulled this intrinsic reward. For many of us today, it has become difficult to enjoy something beautiful, exciting or fulfilling in the moment. Rather than absorbing these moments for our own benefit, today, we reflexively share them with the world, seeking public affirmation of our lives, actions or achievements. 

More concerning, these public announcements demonstrate a growing cultural dependence on extrinsic motivation, where we require affirmation and accolades from others to feel good about our choices or accomplishments. Unlike intrinsic motivation, which comes from our internal drive for things we want, extrinsic motivation is not sustainable. If your satisfaction comes from others’ approval, you will always need more of it. 

We do things not because they bring us satisfaction, but because we are seeking attention and approval from others. Then, those same people who approve of our posts often feel they are missing out on the very things they see us doing. 

Ironically, many are disappointed that they aren’t experiencing our staged highlights, which we are not even fully enjoying in the moment. (It may create hatred or jealous about us which creates trouble in relations)

In what’s become a very public world, we desperately need private moments. Moments where we simply enjoy ourselves or share the moment with others who are present. Moments to praise in private, moments to celebrate and reflect & Moments where the moment itself, and our enjoyment of it, can be enough. 

-       Robert Glazer
Founder & CEO, Acceleration Partners

“The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.” – Abraham Maslow