What creates lasting willpower and resilience: the 4 types of motivation

The psychology of mental strength and how to achieve your goals. The path to extraordinary achievement isn't paved with enjoyment. It's built on something far more powerful: alignment with our deepest values. Sustainable motivation comes not from the pleasure of the journey but from how we connect our actions to what matters most to us. This isn't about willpower or discipline—it's about meaning-making. When we frame our challenges within the context of our personal values, we transform mundane or difficult tasks into meaningful steps toward who we wish to become. The student studying for exams, the entrepreneur facing rejection, the artist pushing through creative blocks—all can tap into this deeper well of motivation by connecting present struggles to future purpose. Topics: The real source of mental strength 4 exercises to build the right type of motivation How to live closer to your values What if your next challenge became not a test of endurance but an expression of who you are becoming? Feedback Sam is launching a workshop for building certainty in an uncertain world Opinions here https://form.jotform.com/250963827592368 Related Episodes 3 habits of mental strength Psychology of Fear How to build emotional intelligence Upgrade to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: What creates lasting willpower and resilience: the 4 types of motivation Chapters: 00:00 Hiking through the coastal path of UK 01:58 Building a stronger mindset and unstoppable motivation 02:37 Nuances of human motivation 04:43 Extrinsic motivation examples 07:20 What drives people to continue 08:20 4 types of motivation 13:36 Identifying personal values 14:04 Eulogy method 15:30 Odyssey plan 16:49 Radical Path 17:53 Wheel of life 19:59 Aligning your actions with your values 24:33 Celebrate small wins 25:48 Seek feedback and reflect on it 27:03 Send off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Most self-help advice is guesswork dressed up as wisdom. We dig into psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science to find what actually changes lives. WHY LISTEN? Over 8 million downloads because we answer the questions that matter: How do I build mental strength? What creates lasting motivation? How can I understand my own mind well enough to work with it, not against it? This podcast is for curious skeptics who want frameworks backed by psychology studies, not Instagram quotes. Whether you're navigating procrastination, building self-discipline, or designing your own philosophy for a life well lived—we explore the hidden psychology behind real change. WHAT YOU'LL GET Mental models and simple techniques from cognitive psychology, positive psychology, and ancient wisdom traditions like Stoicism and Buddhism. Being a human can be confusing, learning about it doesn’t have to be. We cover everything from emotional intelligence and habit formation to brain health and the nervous system. WHAT YOU DON’T GET No pseudoscience. No oversimplified "hacks." No hustle porn. Just practical insights on mindset improvement, self-development, and human psychology that respect your intelligence and mental health. THE APPROACH Instead of telling you what to think, we explore how thinking works. Armed with psychology studies, social science research, and relentless curiosity, we uncover the mechanics of belief change, attitude change, and personal development. Success is personal. You might want to leverage your neurodiverse strengths, build a business, or simply discover how to be happier. We provide the mental frameworks to pursue your definition of success with mental strength and self-care that fits your life. YOUR HOST I'm Sam Webster Harris—a lifelong learner with ADHD and an obsession with finding answers to hard questions. After launching businesses, traveling the world, and nearly dying a few times, I concluded that psychology and science are where real wisdom lives. This show is my excuse to dive deep into health and fitness research, behavioral psychology, and cool science while helping you build genuine self-discipline and motivation. PREMIUM Go ad-free and access exclusive content, AMAs, and our community Discord. Growth Mindset Premium PAST SERIES Previous guests include Olympians, Scientists, Billionaires, and Sam's Mum. Past series: — Psychology vs Stoicism — Time Management for Busy Mortals — Independence and Knowing Yourself — Cognitive Biases and Rational Thinking — Psychology of Connection and Relationships — Carol Dweck and the Multiverse of Mindsets — Addiction and Behaviour Change — Nervous System Mastery and Polyvagal Theory — Mental Strength and Self-Discipline