Some links in the article indirectly refer to SDT (Self-Determination Theory), but I think it deserves more attention here. It's the very mature and well-studie

Some links in the article indirectly refer to SDT (Self-Determination Theory), but I think it deserves more attention here. It's the very mature and well-studied theory on human motivation, and three main predictors for intrinsic motivation are: autonomy, competence and relatedness. Autonomy - the opposite of being controlled - is the major predictor and the one used build the spectrum of motivations: from intrinsic to four types of extrinsic and to amotivation. Motivation is basically what makes us do stuff. Unsurprisingly, these three psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) are also linked and are good predictors of the wellbeing, fullfilment, vitality and, for the lack of the better word, happiness in life. I see this as "motivation to live" essentially. Studying SDT opened my eyes to the modern views on parenting, sports coaching and some other fields. It just all started to make sense, and I would say that SDT is one of those theories that can change your worldview.