From Sports to Oral Health to the Maasai People in Africa – An Autoethnographic Account on Motivation and Happiness

Abstract

This research aims to demonstrate the importance of motivation in order to be happy. The research question is: How are motivation and happiness linked? Our study considers several related aspects – from sports to oral health to the Maasai people in Africa. Motivation involves several factors, such as energy, direction, focus and [the right, sustainable] values (being true to oneself). The discussion herein offers a novel perspective on happiness and being happy. This is a qualitative study that includes a literature review and an autoethnographic narrative, a relatively new approach to scientific research. We conclude that autonomy and freedom are essential to one’s happiness, as is being true to oneself – being motivated by one’s intrinsic motivation (in-ternal satisfaction) rather than by extrinsic motivation (external fame and rewards).