How To Force Your Brain To Crave Doing Hard Things

In this comprehensive exploration of intrinsic motivation, Rian Doris, Co-Founder & CEO of Flow Research Collective, discusses the power of tapping into internal drivers such as curiosity, mastery, audacity, purpose, and autonomy.

He highlights how these factors can lead to heightened focus, productivity, and the ability to enter flow states, where individuals feel and perform at their best.

The power of intrinsic motivation

Intrinsic motivation, driven by curiosity, purpose, mastery, audacity, and autonomy, is a potent and sustainable force.

It can unlock profound levels of motivation that surpass those driven by extrinsic factors such as money or praise.

This internal drive can lead to heightened focus, productivity, and the ability to enter flow states.

The role of flow states

High levels of intrinsic motivators can lead to flow states, where individuals feel and perform at their best.

Flow states compound intrinsic motivation, creating a virtuous cycle of increased motivation and flow.

Understanding and harnessing this cycle can lead to sustained extreme motivation and success.

The importance of mastery and audacity

Mastery, the pursuit of continuous improvement, and audacity, the blurring of lines between work and play, are crucial intrinsic motivators.

They activate the brain’s reward system and create a feedback loop that enhances focus and engagement.

These factors can lead to autotelic experiences, where activities are rewarding in themselves.