Stage 5 · Lesson 4 of 7
What actually motivates you
Self-determination theory, from psychologists Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, suggests that lasting motivation grows when three needs are met: autonomy (some choice over what you do and how), competence (feeling you are getting better) and relatedness (feeling connected to people).
External rewards like marks, money and praise matter too, but on their own they tend to fade. Look at times you worked hard without being pushed. Was it because you chose it, because you were improving, or because you were part of a team?
People differ in which of the three matters most. Knowing yours helps you set up study and work so you keep going.
Common traprelying only on pressure and deadlines, which works for a while and then burns you out.
A question to check yourself and an AI practice session come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it
Resources for this stage
Start with
- CourseFreeLearning How to Learn (Coursera)
Deep Teaching Solutions on Coursera · Beginner
What research says about how learning really works, free to audit
Practise
Also worth your time
Struggling right now? If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact local emergency services or a crisis line: Find a helpline (any country), Umang (Pakistan), Tele-MANAS, 14416 (India).