Feeling competent means believing that you are capable of achieving success in what you are doing. This sense of mastery fuels intrinsic motivation because when you see yourself progressing and overcoming challenges, the activity itself becomes more enjoyable. Success and mastery make tasks feel rewarding, which in turn deepens engagement and persistence.
Example: A student who feels they are improving their math skills will likely enjoy the process of solving math problems more, thus increasing their intrinsic motivation to continue learning.
