Motivation is simply defined as the one that kindles change and concentration. As Elbert Hubbard says, "Positive anything is better than negative nothing." True isn't it? Motivation is the one that keeps people to stay focus. It's motivation that helps people to stay optimistic amidst all the challenges that they encounter in their everyday life.



Literally speaking, motivation is based on the word "motivus" which is a Latin term that denotes a moving cause. It is the element that pushes an individual to take action or initiate change. It is the one that keeps an individual to get going.

To best explain the importance of motivation and how it affects the behavior of a certain individual, you should look into this article and discover the whole story of motivation theory.

There are many motivation theories that were conceptualized on account of giving people a vivid picture of what motivation is and how important it is to be motivated. Here are some of the theories of motivation that you should take into account.

Consistency Theory

The consistency theory is based on the principle that people need some form of regularity and control in their lives. It is very important to have consistency for the reason that it is the key element that binds everything as one. Being consistent is necessary not only because it holds everything together but also because it drives people to reach that standard level of stability in this world.

Self-discrepancy Theory

This theory deals with the human self-esteem and how it is affected by the dealings with cognitive elements of the self. People are encouraged to have that sense of consistency depending on their point of views or how they perceive things. This sometimes led to some problems because people have different expectations. This is evident when people don't get what they wanted for example you want to win the first prize for the essay writing contest but you end up on the 3rd place. You feel dissatisfied and depressed for you don't get what you like to achieve.

Reactance Theory

Reactance theory is based on the notion that when people don't feel comfortable and they think that they can do what they want, they experience a bad feeling. This bad feeling is known as reactance. When they feel this, they will be motivated to do what they were threatened to do, which is a sign that their freedom has not been suppressed.

Goal-setting Theory

The goal-setting theory implies that people set goals for themselves. But you see setting goals for yourself is more effective unlike when other people set your goals. This is because people are more encouraged to fulfill the goals that they have set for themselves for it's based on what they believe.

Acquired Needs Theory

The theory of acquired needs explains that needs may vary depending on people's experiences and these needs may change as time goes by. This theory is also referred to as the Three-Need Theory or Learned Need Theory. Generally, the needs of the people are classified into three. These are the achievement, affiliation and power.

On the whole, understanding all the theories of motivation can be a great help to you especially when it comes to harnessing your leadership skills. Motivation is a very important ingredient in the success of every individual. Without it, your life will not be bright.