Intrinsic Motivation
In recent interactions with clients, a foundation of my questioning to support them was to create the catalyst for motivation. Collaborative learning through the relationship with your Life Coach forms the foundation of strength in the client’s journey, developing new ideas, and ultimately the client’s success in achieving their goals. It is one of the reasons that trust is so important in the coaching relationship, as this fosters facets of motivation.
Intrinsic motivation, the self-generated drive to pursue interests and challenges, plays a pivotal role in life coaching. Life coaching, a practice aimed at facilitating personal and professional growth, heavily relies on the individual's internal motivation to change and improve (Grant, 2012).
One central tenet of life coaching is to help clients discover and amplify their intrinsic motivation (Green et al., 2006). Coaches achieve this by aiding individuals in identifying their personal values, passions, and strengths, thus fostering a sense of autonomy. When clients feel they are the masters of their own change process, their intrinsic motivation is significantly enhanced (Ryan & Deci, 2000).
Intrinsic motivation in life coaching also aligns with the concept of competence. Coaches support their clients in building confidence and self-efficacy, enabling them to believe in their ability to reach their goals (Bandura, 1977). When clients perceive themselves as capable and competent, they're more likely to sustain their efforts and stay committed to their growth journey.
Lastly, relatedness - the feeling of being connected with others, plays a crucial role in a coaching relationship (Ryan & Deci, 2002). The coach-client relationship should foster trust, mutual respect, and empathy, which in turn boosts the client’s motivation to change and succeed. As a client, Looking within and empowering their own thinking is the most powerful aspect of the client’s journey, particularly when it comes to consolidation and maintaining that journey once the coaching relationship has ended.
Intrinsic motivation is a cornerstone of effective life coaching. By cultivating a sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, coaches can ignite the intrinsic motivation of their clients, propelling them towards their desired outcomes.
References:
Grant, A. M. (2012). An integrated model of goal-focused coaching: An evidence-based framework for teaching and practice. International Coaching Psychology Review, 7(2), 146-165.
Green, L. S., Oades, L. G., & Grant, A. M. (2006). Cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused life coaching: Enhancing goal striving, well-being, and hope. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 1(3), 142-149.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American psychologist, 55(1), 68.
Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological review, 84(2), 191.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2002). Overview of self-determination theory: An organismic dialectical perspective. Handbook of self-determination research, 3-33.