Motivation and enthusiasm are often used together or interchangeably. It’s possible to be motivated without enthusiasm. Enthusiasm reinforces motivation, resulting in a greater will to act. But, can you be enthusiastic without motivation, or can they be the same thing?

Motivation is the driving force behind your actions. Enthusiasm is the eagerness to act. The difference is an intentional process (motivation) as opposed to an emotional response (enthusiasm). The less complicated difference is that motivation is external: some force is creating an act of compliance on your behalf. Enthusiasm is internal: you feel inspired to act.

While motivation and enthusiasm can work together, they are very different things. If you’re interested in that difference, this article is for you. Keep reading for everything you need to know about motivation vs. enthusiasm.

How Motivation and Enthusiasm are Different

Motivation involves consequence as in “I need to do this or.” Enthusiasm is an innate desire, “I want to do this.” If you are willing to act, you are motivated. When inspired by action, you are enthusiastic.

At times, they may seem the same, but it’s relative to how you feel about your motivation. Emotions around motivation change, but the consequences don’t. People say that they feel motivated, but the feeling is enthusiasm. Motivation compels one to action.

Have you ever said to yourself? “I don’t want to do this, but I have to.” Those words are an everyday example of the difference between motivation and enthusiasm. 

Can You Have Enthusiasm without Motivation?

Enthusiasm without motivation happens all the time. Remember that book you always wanted to write or the backpacking trip through Europe you daydreamed of years ago? 

The reason you haven’t done them is your enthusiasm had not met with motivation. Your wanting failed to manifest itself as a need.

We’re enthusiastic about a lot of things these days. Much of this enthusiasm manifests itself as a goal. Most people realize that reaching a goal takes more than passion. 

It takes motivation and dedication. If you want to run a marathon, you can’t just wake up one morning and run 26.2 miles on enthusiasm. Motivation is physical milestones, a process of achieving them, and consequences for not.

Motivation vs. Enthusiasm: Which One Gets the Job Done?

It’s the first of the month and rent is due. Your motivation to pay the rent is avoiding eviction. Aversion is an example of motivation without enthusiasm.

Using the same rent example, let’s say you just found your dream house and cannot wait to move-in. Motivation to pay that first month’s rent is highlighted by your enthusiasm to live there. 

Positive emotions are the driving force behind your action, but you must continue to pay the rent after your initial feelings wear off.

In the dream house scenario, motivation and enthusiasm seem interchangeable. It’s understandable how someone could mistakenly mix them up.

Motivating People

The best way to motivate people is to give them a reason to complete the task. Motivation can be positive or negative based on consequences. 

“Every human action, whether it has become positive or negative, must depend on motivation.” a quote by Tenzin Gyatso, The 14th Dalai Lama.

A reward is a great motivator, but is a punishment more effective?

We live in a time of great positivity and negativity. It seems that everywhere we turn, some psychologist is promoting positive body image and self-confidence. When you watch the news, though, negativity is the recipe.

Positive motivation is excellent as a show of support, but negative motivation results in change more often. An under-achieving person reinforced positively lacks the motivation for improvement. That same person, negatively motivated, is more likely to change.

One of the reasons the news and politics are negative is to drive fear. Fear triggers loss aversion and motivates you to keep watching or vote for the candidate that will protect you.

Parenting with Motivation and Enthusiasm

Parents use both types of motivation to train behavior in their children. Little Stacy gets dessert if she finishes her dinner, but gets sent to her room if she doesn’t. 

Enthusiasm aids motivation as dad stands a few feet away, arms open, encouraging his child to take those first steps. We find parents using enthusiasm to motivate children when they’re young and seeking approval. As they become teens, often independence and punishment replace approval as the best motivator.

Motivation can get tricky as a parent. Too much of either method can backfire. Children need encouragement and boundaries to succeed in life.

Do Motivational Speakers Motivate?

Think about how a motivational speaker inspires his audience. He speaks about success and excites people to act. He hits all the happy buttons, and people feel inspired. Can we say that they motivated, though?

Inspiring enthusiasm does not always motivate people. Inspiration and enthusiasm are both emotional terms. Necessity is the birthplace of motivation, while enthusiasm is a yearning. You may feel motivated at the moment, but you’re only enthusiastic. Enthusiasm will wane. Motivation is steady.

But What About Motivation Without Enthusiasm?

Motivation is less effective without enthusiasm pushing the agenda. The enthusiasm gap is the ratio of motivation to enthusiasm. 

This isn’t something we can’t always see right away, but it is something that, over time, usually becomes apparent. So you can have motivation without enthusiasm, it’s just not nearly as effective. And, let’s be honest, it’s not nearly as fun either. 

While some people do thrive on motivation without enthusiasm, that doesn’t necessarily work for all. Money is a big motivator for some, but others are more motivated by verbal praise. Motivation can work without enthusiasm, but this isn’t the same across the board. 

Minding the Gap

The enthusiasm gap is a pretty common term in politics. It’s a general reference to the rate at which people prefer a candidate and their willingness to cast a vote for them. No matter where a candidate stands on the issues, voters won’t show up for someone that doesn’t excite them.

Closing the enthusiasm gap is often one of the most important goals of campaign rallies and political conventions. Politicians do their best at striking the right chord with their audience at these events. As people see a crowd cheering and chanting, enthusiasm builds, and the motivation to vote strengthens.

Negative Enthusiasm and Motivation

Negative enthusiasm might be the most potent form of motivating influence. It doesn’t need pairing with negative motivation to be useful, but it helps.

The same political rally, building energy in its attendees, creates negative enthusiasm in supporters of opponents. The enthusiasm gap closes as the urge to vote against one candidate reinforces conviction for the rival. 

Take someone that’s unhappy at their job, for example. They become motivated by the prospect of a new work environment, which then becomes a driving factor in finding a new career. This negative enthusiasm then becomes fuel to move forward in a different direction.

While negative enthusiasm isn’t the same as regular, “yay! Let’s do it!” enthusiasm, it’s also an effective motivator.

Different, but Complementary!

Motivation and enthusiasm are not the same but do complement each other extremely well. You will be more willing to accomplish a task if you are eager. 

On its own, desire requires a goal to be a productive emotion. A goal is achievable, given the right incentive boost. Motivation, combined with enthusiasm, represent an unstoppable solution to all your problems.