Eagerness

Eagerness is a state of strong interest, readiness, and desire to participate in an activity or pursue a goal. It combines anticipation with a willingness to invest time, effort, and attention.

In psychology, eagerness aligns with approach motivation and intrinsic motivation. It can enhance learning, skill acquisition, and performance by promoting active engagement and timely initiation. When balanced with planning, feedback, and self-regulation, eagerness supports persistence; when excessive or misdirected, it can become impatience, impulsivity, or burnout.

In educational and workplace settings, eager individuals often seek challenging tasks, ask questions, and show initiative. This can boost achievement and collaboration but may also be perceived as pushiness if not tempered by listening and consideration for others. Eagerness can be cultivated through clear goals, meaningful work, autonomy, and positive feedback, as well as supportive mentoring.

Eagerness is not a clinical construct, but a normative aspect of motivation that varies across cultures and contexts. Cultural expectations influence how eagerness is interpreted and rewarded. Related concepts include enthusiasm, zeal, and motivation.