What keeps us truly motivated? For Harvard researcher Teresa Amabile, the answer isn’t found in prizes, perks, or external rewards. Her decades of work on creativity and engagement highlight something far more interior: intrinsic motivation — the joy and meaning found in the work itself.
Amabile discovered what she calls the progress principle: the single most powerful motivator is not applause or achievement at the finish line, but the sense of forward movement, even in the smallest steps.
Think of the satisfaction of finally solving a stubborn puzzle, finishing a page of writing, or learning one more phrase in a new language. These moments, though modest, are charged with energy. They reassure us that our efforts matter, that our daily work — whether professional, artistic, or spiritual — is unfolding toward something worthwhile.
This principle resonates deeply with the Christian vision of vocation. The Catechism teaches that “work is for man, not man for work” (CCC 2428).
It also notes that work is not a punishment or a curse. Instead, as humans we engaged in work even before Original Son, as it is one way that we are like the Creator, who engaged in the "work" of creation.
2427 Human work proceeds directly from persons created in the image of God and called to prolong the work of creation by subduing the earth, both with and for one another. Hence work is a duty: "If any one will not work, let him not eat." Work honors the Creator's gifts and the talents received from him. It can also be redemptive. By enduring the hardship of work in union with Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth and the one crucified on Calvary, man collaborates in a certain fashion with the Son of God in his redemptive work. He shows himself to be a disciple of Christ by carrying the cross, daily, in the work he is called to accomplish. Work can be a means of sanctification and a way of animating earthly realities with the Spirit of Christ.
Motivation comes from living our human dignity
Each task, no matter how ordinary, participates in the dignity of God’s creative plan. Seeing progress in meaningful work is therefore not just a psychological boost, but a way of encountering purpose and even grace.
The challenge, however, is that progress is often invisible. We complete a day’s labor and feel only its incompleteness. To make the most of Amabile’s insight, we need concrete ways of tracking progress, so that the hidden value of our effort becomes visible.
Strategies
Here are a few practical strategies:
1Keep a “done list.”
Instead of only writing what still awaits you, jot down what you’ve accomplished each day — even the smallest steps. Seeing these entries grow is a quiet source of encouragement.
2Break large goals into milestones.
Writing a book, raising a child, or leading a project can feel endless. Define smaller markers along the way. Reaching each milestone is a reminder that the greater goal is not just possible but already unfolding.
3Use visual cues.
Some people keep a journal, others prefer a progress bar, a calendar streak, or even a jar of pebbles that fills with every step taken. Physical markers make the intangible visible.
4Celebrate micro-moments.
A quick prayer of gratitude, a brief pause to acknowledge a task completed, or sharing your progress with a friend reinforces motivation.
5Revisit your “why.”
Tracking progress is not only about counting tasks, but reconnecting with the meaning behind them. Ask: How did today’s effort contribute to what matters most to me?
Not a mystery
Amabile’s research assures us that motivation is not a mysterious force we either have or lack. It grows when we see and savor the steady unfolding of our work. For people of faith, this truth harmonizes beautifully with St. Paul’s reminder: “In the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58). Every step, however small, carries eternal weight.
By making our progress visible, we give ourselves a gift — the chance to notice that we are already moving, already building, already participating in something greater than ourselves.
