Using Strengths to Increase Motivation

Using Strengths to Increase Motivation

Shamekia Moultrie

MGT/312

November 30, 2015

Patricia Hudson

        Using Strengths to Increase Motivation

There is a vast difference between having a job and having a career. A job can be described as simply regular employment; a career typically is an occupation that a person will maintain for much of their lives that allows for promotion and growth. I am in the process of working towards a career while maintaining a job. However, my performance in my job is just as important to me as my investment in what I would like to be doing in the near future. Right now the PsyCap results were very close to how I feel about what I do for a living. In all areas of life most people would like to see themselves succeed. This is probably more so true when it comes to employment, to be the best at whatever you do is always something that is striven for. The PsyCap evaluated efficacy, resiliency, hope, and optimism.  

        My levels in efficacy and resiliency were both high; while hope and optimism were moderate to low. I agree with the results of the test. I do feel I can perform my job to the best of my abilities. I also believe I am fairly good at withstanding the pressures of my job as well as the hardships and stress that come along with it. My hope when it comes to my job is moderate due to it being confining when it comes to my being in control of some of the things I do. I never enter my workplace feeling optimistic about the hours that lay ahead because there is little variation or excitement. The possibility of working with unpleasant employees and dealing with unfriendly customers dampens the spirits. Having goals or things to look forward to can be a way to improve hope and optimism. I have found setting a time period for a goal motivates me to want to achieve it. Accomplishing a work related goal also helps to improve my job performance because they go hand in hand. Having a quality goal to work towards means that there is quality work being done to be able to reach it. Having goals also encourages on the job engagement. Meeting said goals leaves me with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in knowing that I am capable of doing something. So simply setting one goal to reach within a month is enough to boost performance because there is a reason to be motivated.

        Intrinsic motivation is the positive feelings one gets from performing well. While extrinsic motivation solely depends on the prospect of reward or the fear of punishment intrinsic motivation is a person doing their work to the best of their ability because it makes them feel good. This kind of motivation is crucial to long lasting achievement and drive because you yourself are creating the feelings of accomplishment. If a reward is the only reason a person is motivated to work then that will soon tire itself out due to the rewards of a job only garnering so much value over time. Research has shown that intrinsic motivation also goes hand in hand with the self-determination theory. This says that a person has three innate needs, these include: competence, autonomy, and relatedness. These are important when it comes to trying to raise the quality of your own job performance or that of your employees. Feeling competent enough to do your job is not only important to the end result of the task at hand but also to the morale of the person performing it. Beginning a task or job without feeling confident in your abilities to complete it can greatly affect how quickly and how well it will be done. Having been equipped with the knowledge to do all things in your field will bring the need for autonomy. Autonomy is wanting to be independent or free of control. Being extended the courtesy of autonomy can increase job performance by allowing yourself or the employee to feel a sense of responsibility as well as power in knowing that they can complete a task alone without the feeling of scrutiny or watchful eyes. Knowing you can venture alone is important but so is the prospect of working with others and having that sense of unity when it comes to getting work done.