Google defines motivation as the following:
mo·ti·va·tion
ˌmōdəˈvāSH(ə)n/
noun
- the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. “escape can be a strong motivation for travel”
synonyms: motive, motivating force, incentive, stimulus, stimulation, inspiration, inducement, incitement, spur, reason;
Informal carrot
“his motivation was financial”
- the general desire or willingness of someone to do something.
“keep staff up to date and maintain interest and motivation”
synonyms: enthusiasm, drive, ambition, initiative, determination, enterprise;
Informal get-up-and-go
“keep up the staff’s motivation”
There are many outside forces that can motivate behavior (monetary incentives, good grades, etc.) but the real success happens when the motivation is from within. When people can decide this is what I want to do because it makes me happier/stronger/healthier and nothing is going to stand in my way. If you want to win at anything, picture it. See it in your mind’s eye. Feel the feeling you will feel. And hold onto that. That’s where the magic lies.