{"id":16581,"date":"2019-07-03T09:14:38","date_gmt":"2019-07-03T16:14:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/?p=16581"},"modified":"2023-12-11T09:10:57","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T17:10:57","slug":"why-you-arent-motivated-to-drum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/why-you-arent-motivated-to-drum\/","title":{"rendered":"Test Yourself: Why You Aren’t Motivated To Drum"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you feel like you\u2019ve lost your \u2018drum mojo\u2019? You haven\u2019t practiced in a while and can\u2019t seem to get back on the groove train. Why? You don\u2019t know. You just haven\u2019t been feeling motivated, and it\u2019s frustrating.<\/p>\n

We all find different factors that spark the fire for us. One way that psychologists analyze motivation is by looking at how internal and external factors drive you to take action. This concept can be broken down into intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.<\/p>\n

Extrinsic motivation:<\/strong> You\u2019re motivated to take action by external rewards. This could be tangible (like money or an award) or intangible (like praise and recognition).<\/p>\n

Intrinsic motivation:<\/strong> You\u2019re motivated to take action because it\u2019s personally\/inherently rewarding. Even if no one else knows about it, it makes you feel good, and that\u2019s enough reason to do it.<\/p>\n

When it comes to drumming, these motivations can help explain why you may or may not be pursuing your goals. Most people aren\u2019t solely driven by one or the other; you may be motivated by both external and internal factors. For example, research suggests that praise can actually help increase intrinsic motivation.<\/a><\/p>\n

If your goal is to play drums more often, or to become a better drummer, it may not be enough to set the goals: you need to also figure out what motivates you to play and ask yourself why you\u2019ve set these goals. Do you want to become a better drummer because you like to challenge yourself, or are you doing it in hopes of receiving respect or getting bigger gigs? Maybe you love playing, but that isn\u2019t always enough to get you off the couch or away from your phone. Desire alone does not equal motivation.<\/a>
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Test yourself: What motivates you to play drums?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There\u2019s nothing wrong with being more intrinsically or extrinsically motivated. But getting to know yourself better can help you pinpoint your reasons for drumming, which will make it easier to find out how to get that spark back.<\/p>\n

Take a look at the following statements, and keep track of the points as you choose only the statements that apply to you:
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*This \u2018quiz\u2019 is just for fun and doesn\u2019t adhere to scientific testing standards. Each of these statements realistically resonates somewhere on a sliding scale. You aren\u2019t 100% one or the other, and this isn\u2019t an all-or-nothing verdict; intrinsic and extrinsic motivation are just components of complex behavioral theories. Don\u2019t let us tell you what does or doesn\u2019t motivate you!<\/em><\/sup>
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How to get motivated without external factors<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Once you\u2019ve thought about your motives, you should be able to alter your behavior or mindset to accomplish your goals. Those who are extrinsically motivated are more likely to find it difficult to practice drums without a \u2018reason\u2019. There is evidence that intrinsic motivation is the most effective for musicians,<\/a> so it might be tougher to pick up the sticks if you aren\u2019t driven to play for the sake of playing.<\/p>\n

Even if you love drumming, you might still find yourself in a rut now and then. If you rely on an outside boost to stay motivated, here are a few things you can try:<\/p>\n