Extrinsic motivation

Extrinsic motivation is doing a behavior for an outcome that comes from outside: reward, money, approval, or avoiding punishment. It can be a strong driving force in the short term, but when the external source is removed the behavior often dies out too. Moreover, some research shows that an external reward can weaken an already existing intrinsic interest. In coaching, extrinsic motivation is not rejected outright, but when it is the only support it stays fragile. The real matter is being able, over time, to tie the extrinsic drive to an intrinsic meaning.