https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8ZgwZf1E3E
The Two Types of Motivation
Extrinsic (Fossil Fuel)
- Comes from outside: money, status, praise
- Temporary boost that eventually runs out
- Dopamine spikes on anticipation, crashes on attainment
Intrinsic (Fusion Energy)
- Comes from within: curiosity, purpose, mastery
- Self-sustaining and long-lasting
- Creates virtuous cycle with flow states
The 5 Intrinsic Motivators
1. Curiosity (What You Explore)
- Insatiable itch to learn about your work
- Boost it: Ensure learning creates tangible results with immediate feedback
2. Mastery (What You Improve)
- Endless desire to get better at your craft
- Boost it: Practice deliberately at edge of comfort zone; choose work with unlimited growth potential
3. Autotelicity (What You Love)
- Love the activities themselves, not just outcomes
- Boost it: Focus on your natural strengths - doing what you're good at builds love over time
4. Purpose (What You Impact)
- Work contributes to something bigger than yourself
- Boost it: Distill life mission into one sentence; link daily tasks to larger purpose
5. Autonomy (What You Choose)
- Control over when, how, and what you work on
- Boost it: Frame current role as stepping stone in YOUR designed journey; build "F-U autonomy" (skills/network for optionality)
The Virtuous Cycle
Intrinsic Motivation → Flow State → More Intrinsic Motivation → Unstoppable drive
Action Plan
- Rate each motivator 1-10
- Start with lowest, boost by 5 points/year
- Target: 10/10 on all five
The Ultimate State
Detachment of monk + Engagement of warrior
- Detached from external rewards
- Obsessed with the work itself
- Immune to suffering that derails others
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