Do you struggle to motivate yourself to practice? If so, you’re not alone! Plenty of people struggle to develop and stick with a regular practice schedule. But, when people say they struggle with motivation, they typically mean that they struggle with Intrinsic Motivation.
There are two types of motivation: Extrinsic and Intrinsic. Extrinsic Motivation can be thought of as short-term, while Intrinsic Motivation can be thought of as long-term. Extrinsic Motivation is driven by rewards (like money, grades, prizes, praise, or fame). Intrinsic Motivation is driven by enjoyment and satisfaction (think of that sense of achievement you feel when you finish a big task or reach a goal).
So, is one type of motivation better than the other? For musicians, yes! While both Internal and External Motivation can be useful, Internal Motivation is better for musicians because it lasts longer & leads to more success.
In lessons, I try to Extrinsically Motivate students with:
Praise
Practice log prizes
Stickers for a job well-done
In lessons, I try to Intrinsically Motivate students by:
Offering students choices
Asking students what they're struggling with
Learning what my students are interested in
Explaining relevance
Maintaining a safe space where students aren't scared to make mistakes
If you or your students struggle with motivation, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on what you already are doing to motivate yourself, and brainstorm other strategies. Ask yourself and/or your students:
What are three things you can do to Extrinsically Motivate yourself?
What are three things you can do to Intrinsically Motivate yourself?
Jot those answers down on a post-it note and keep it on your music stand to keep you motivated; instruct your students to do the same!
Happy Practicing :)
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