--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's this really awesome theory of…" description: "\"There's this really awesome theory of human motivation - that human beings all want three things. One is to be competent, one is to belong, and one is ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/angela-duckworth-2560_awesome_there-s-this-really-awesome-theory-of-hu_3211462.jpg" --- # There's this really awesome theory of human motivation… ![“There's this really awesome theory of human motivation - that human beings all want three things. One is to be competent, one is to belong, and one is be free, as in to have choice: to not be told what to do but to choose what to do.” quote by Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/angela-duckworth-2560_awesome_there-s-this-really-awesome-theory-of-hu_3211462.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/angela-duckworth-2560_awesome_there-s-this-really-awesome-theory-of-hu_3211462.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/angela-duckworth-2560_awesome_there-s-this-really-awesome-theory-of-hu_3211462.jpg) > “There's this really awesome theory of human motivation - that human beings all want three things. One is to be competent, one is to belong, and one is be free, as in to have choice: to not be told what to do but to choose what to do.” [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humans are driven by three core needs: competence, belonging, and autonomy; fulfilling these fuels motivation and well‑being. **In simple terms:** People need skill, connection, and freedom to feel motivated. Key Takeaway Cultivate competence, community, and choice. Themes motivation psychology autonomy competence belonging Mood inspirational practical encouraging Type educational psychological motivational When to use this quote - education - workplace - personal development - team building Key Concepts self‑determination theory intrinsic motivation human needs Questions to Reflect On - Which of the three needs feels most unmet for you? - How can you balance competence with freedom? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on autonomy can ignore structural constraints. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Awesome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awesome/) [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) ## Related quotes > [I believe that the most joyful and intrinsic motivation human beings have for taking any action is the desire to meet our needs and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/i-believe-that-the-most-joyful-and-intrinsic-motivation-human-beings/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [“Most of us are continually engaged in some form of pursuit. We are seeking excellence within one or more areas in our lives, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorii-myers/most-of-us-are-continually-engaged-in-some-form-of-pursuit-we-are/) [Lorii Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorii-myers/) > [Winning s a universal human motivation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-laporta/winning-s-a-universal-human-motivation/) [Joan Laporta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-laporta/) > [“Trust is the highest form of human motivation. It brings out the very best in people. But it takes time and patience, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/trust-is-the-highest-form-of-human-motivation-it-brings-out-the-very-2/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“Flagrant disregard for the complexities of human motivation has led us to credit our ancestors with godlike omniscience. This, in turn, has forced us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/flagrant-disregard-for-the-complexities-of-human-motivation-has-led/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Vengeance is a strange human motivation --- it can drive a man to do things which he neither would nor could achieve without it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-beam-piper/vengeance-is-a-strange-human-motivation-it-can-drive-a-man-to-do/) [H. Beam Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-beam-piper/) > [“Scientists who study human motivation have lately learned that after basic survival needs have been met, the combination of autonomy (the desire to direct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/scientists-who-study-human-motivation-have-lately-learned-that-after/) [Steven Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/) > [In the 1950s and early 1960s, psychoanalysis swept through the intellectual community, and it was the dominant mode of thinking about the mind. People…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kandel/in-the-1950s-and-early-1960s-psychoanalysis-swept-through-the/) [Eric Kandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kandel/) > [Culture is nourished by human motivation - a limitless resource that can sometimes be underestimated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynne-doughtie/culture-is-nourished-by-human-motivation-a-limitless-resource-that/) [Lynne Doughtie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynne-doughtie/) > [Trust is the highest form of human motivation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/trust-is-the-highest-form-of-human-motivation/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Trust is the highest form of human motivation. It brings out the very best in people. But it takes time and patience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/trust-is-the-highest-form-of-human-motivation-it-brings-out-the-very/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [“To tap this deep wellspring of human motivation, companies need to shift their emphasis from profit maximization to purpose maximization.19”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-e-mackey/to-tap-this-deep-wellspring-of-human-motivation-companies-need-to/) John E. Mackey > [The right to hope is the most powerful human motivation I know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aga-khan-iv/the-right-to-hope-is-the-most-powerful-human-motivation-i-know/) [Aga Khan IV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aga-khan-iv/) > [“The latter is useful for predictive purposes only to the extent that the individual participant, in the market relationship, is guided by economic interest.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-latter-is-useful-for-predictive-purposes-only-to-the-extent-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Classic economic theory, based as it is on an inadequate theory of human motivation, could be revolutionized by accepting the reality of higher human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-maslow/classic-economic-theory-based-as-it-is-on-an-inadequate-theory-of/) [Abraham Maslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-maslow/) ## More by Angela Duckworth > [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“you can, in fact, modify your self-talk, and you can learn to not let it interfere with you moving toward your goals. With practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/you-can-in-fact-modify-your-self-talk-and-you-can-learn-to-not-let-it/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [One thing that's true of gritty people is they love what they do, and they keep loving what they do. So they're not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/one-thing-that-s-true-of-gritty-people-is-they-love-what-they-do-and/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [The focus on just thinking about standardized test scores as being synonymous with achievement for teenagers is ridiculous, right? There are so many things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/the-focus-on-just-thinking-about-standardized-test-scores-as-being/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“Nobody wants to show you the hours and hours of becoming. They’d rather show the highlight of what they’ve become.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/nobody-wants-to-show-you-the-hours-and-hours-of-becoming-they-d/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [I don't spend a lot of time thinking about my genes because I can't do anything about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/i-don-t-spend-a-lot-of-time-thinking-about-my-genes-because-i-can-t/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“My longitudinal studies show these three virtue clusters predict different outcomes. For academic achievement, including stellar report card grades, the cluster containing grit is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/my-longitudinal-studies-show-these-three-virtue-clusters-predict/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“For many of us, the companies we work for are an important cultural force in our lives. For instance, growing up, my dad liked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/for-many-of-us-the-companies-we-work-for-are-an-important-cultural/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“trying to do things they can't yet do, failing, and learning what they need to do differently is exactly the way that experts practice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/trying-to-do-things-they-can-t-yet-do-failing-and-learning-what-they/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [Negative feelings are typical of learning, and you shouldn't feel like you're stupid when you're frustrated doing something. You might say to yourself, 'I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/negative-feelings-are-typical-of-learning-and-you-shouldn-t-feel-like/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [I was a good novice teacher, but I did the things that were obvious. I stayed for lunch for extra tutoring, gave kids my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/i-was-a-good-novice-teacher-but-i-did-the-things-that-were-obvious-i/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“The separation of talent and skill,” Will Smith points out, “is one of the greatest misunderstood concepts for people who are trying to excel,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/the-separation-of-talent-and-skill-will-smith-points-out-is-one-of/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [What we reliably find is that people's perseverance scores are actually higher than their passion scores, and I think it really does get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/what-we-reliably-find-is-that-people-s-perseverance-scores-are/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [Many things matter other than our measured intelligence, so let's get to work on them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/many-things-matter-other-than-our-measured-intelligence-so-let-s-get/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“With everything perfect,” Nietzsche wrote, “we do not ask how it came to be.” Instead, “we rejoice in the present fact as though it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/with-everything-perfect-nietzsche-wrote-we-do-not-ask-how-it-came-to/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) [Explore all 161 Angela Duckworth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) ## More Awesome quotes > [It would be awesome to play in my backyard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-barty/it-would-be-awesome-to-play-in-my-backyard/) [Ashleigh Barty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-barty/) > [“I had a dream. I had an awesome dream.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-a-dream-i-had-an-awesome-dream/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Merlin' was awesome, but the costumes would drive you insane. Every day, you'd get into chain mail and wear 30 pounds of that stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-macken/merlin-was-awesome-but-the-costumes-would-drive-you-insane-every-day/) [Eoin Macken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-macken/) > [Literally, 'Dance Moms' was so amazing, and I have the world to thank for that. They were so awesome - the set, the cast,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jojo-siwa/literally-dance-moms-was-so-amazing-and-i-have-the-world-to-thank-for/) [JoJo Siwa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jojo-siwa/) > ['Smallville' was a really awesome opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-witwer/smallville-was-a-really-awesome-opportunity/) [Samuel Witwer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-witwer/) > [Why does the Internet get Awesome when I have work to do?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-does-the-internet-get-awesome-when-i-have-work-to-do/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you're going to do a job, do it right. If you're going to throw a birthday party, make it amazing. If you're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-john-liautaud/if-you-re-going-to-do-a-job-do-it-right-if-you-re-going-to-throw-a/) [Jimmy John Liautaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-john-liautaud/) > [It was awesome because we were doing Ramones songs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lowry/it-was-awesome-because-we-were-doing-ramones-songs/) [Mike Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lowry/) > [Need to go to the pharmacy, because I'm so sick!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasha-matthews/need-to-go-to-the-pharmacy-because-i-m-so-sick/) Tasha Matthews > [February 18 is the most awesome day of the year!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yo-chica15/february-18-is-the-most-awesome-day-of-the-year/) [Yo-chica15](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yo-chica15/) > [At comedy festivals, we always get grouped with other musical comedians, so you can get to know them and see what everyone is doing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-micucci/at-comedy-festivals-we-always-get-grouped-with-other-musical/) [Kate Micucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-micucci/) > ['Dancing with the Stars' is awesome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-bryan/dancing-with-the-stars-is-awesome/) [Sabrina Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-bryan/) > [People forget we've got awesome entrepreneurs all over the country, especially in the North East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-davies/people-forget-we-ve-got-awesome-entrepreneurs-all-over-the-country/) [Sara Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-davies/) > [Seeing how the kids react to you is pretty awesome. Not necessarily that they're star struck, but they're shy. They're kids. They don't know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-rendon/seeing-how-the-kids-react-to-you-is-pretty-awesome-not-necessarily/) [Anthony Rendon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-rendon/) > [I think a superhero would be awesome to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maika-monroe/i-think-a-superhero-would-be-awesome-to-play/) [Maika Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maika-monroe/) [Browse all 1,244 Awesome quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awesome/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There's this really awesome theory of human motivation - that human beings all want three things. One is to be competent, one is to belong, and one is be free, as in to have choice: to not be told what to do but to choose what to do.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Angela Duckworth" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/there-s-this-really-awesome-theory-of-human-motivation-that-human/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Awesome" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/there-s-this-really-awesome-theory-of-human-motivation-that-human/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/angela-duckworth-2560_awesome_there-s-this-really-awesome-theory-of-hu_3211462.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/angela-duckworth-2560_awesome_there-s-this-really-awesome-theory-of-hu_3211462.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/angela-duckworth-2560_awesome_there-s-this-really-awesome-theory-of-hu_3211462.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There's this really awesome theory of human motivation - that human beings all want three things. One is to…” — Angela Duckworth", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Angela Duckworth", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There's this really awesome theory of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/there-s-this-really-awesome-theory-of-human-motivation-that-human/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/there-s-this-really-awesome-theory-of-human-motivation-that-human/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```