Are you feeling sad or depressed about how your life is right now? If that’s how you feel it’s probably because you have more extrinsic aspirations than intrinsic aspirations. You are probably thinking, “What in the world are extrinsic and intrinsic aspirations?” According to Edward L. Deci, author of Why We What We Do, “extrinsic aspirations are the stuff the American dream is made of. They were the aspirations for being wealthy, famous, and physical attraction.” He also defines intrinsic aspirations,
“... provide their own reward and help satisfy people’s innate needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness. These three were: having satisfying personal relationship making contributions to the growing individual” (2). If you focus on only extrinsic aspirations you are more likely to feel depressed because achieving extrinsic aspirations are hard to come by. The only way that you can achieve wealth and fame is only if you’re sleeping, however, you can achieve physical attraction by living a healthy lifestyle. Extrinsic aspirations are easier to achieve because that’s something you do every day! A great example is helping an elder carry his groceries. By doing all the small things you do in life you build maturity. In order to live a happy life you should have a balance of both intrinsic aspirations and extrinsic aspiration so that you can live a happy live.
“... provide their own reward and help satisfy people’s innate needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness. These three were: having satisfying personal relationship making contributions to the growing individual” (2). If you focus on only extrinsic aspirations you are more likely to feel depressed because achieving extrinsic aspirations are hard to come by. The only way that you can achieve wealth and fame is only if you’re sleeping, however, you can achieve physical attraction by living a healthy lifestyle. Extrinsic aspirations are easier to achieve because that’s something you do every day! A great example is helping an elder carry his groceries. By doing all the small things you do in life you build maturity. In order to live a happy life you should have a balance of both intrinsic aspirations and extrinsic aspiration so that you can live a happy live.