Intrinsic motivation refers to actions that are driven by internal rewards. The motivation to engage in a behavior arises from within because of the inherent satisfaction of the activity rather than the desire for a reward or specific outcome.

The three main elements of intrinsic motivation are autonomy, purpose, and mastery.1 People are intrinsically motivated when they can act independently, feel that their efforts matter, and gain satisfaction from becoming more skilled.
Intrinsic motivation can be contrasted with extrinsic motivation, which involves engaging in a behavior to earn external rewards or avoid punishment.
When you pursue an activity for the pure enjoyment of it, you are doing so because you are intrinsically motivated. Your motivations for engaging in the behavior ar entirely from within rather than out of a desire to gain some type of external reward, such as prizes, money, or acclaim.
Activities can generate such feelings when they give you a sense of meaning, like participating in volunteer or events.

They may also give you a sense of progress when you see that your work is accomplishing something positive, or competence when you learn something new or become more skilled at a task.

Intrinsic motivation can drive behavior in all aspects of life, particularly in education, sports, careers, and personal pursuits.Teachers and instructional designers strive to develop learning environments that are intrinsically rewarding.

Factors That Influence Intrinsic Motivation

Challenge: People are more motivated when they pursue goals with personal meaning

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Control: People want control over themselves and their environments and want to determine what they pursue.

Cooperation and competition:

Curiosity

Recognition: People enjoy having their accomplishments recognized by others, which can increase internal motivation.

REFERENCE: www.verywellmind.com