Motivation is a very powerful tool. It leads people to do amazing, unbelievable things. There are two kinds of motivation – intrinsic and extrinsic, but it’s the combination of both that makes it so powerful. Extrinsic motivation incentivises action using a pull mechanism but once it’s gone, action becomes inaction. Intrinsic motivation or self-motivation, though, comes from within and dies only when one’s passion burns out.

Ideally, self-motivation should suffice to power us through what we do. Practically though, external pull factors are important too because when the tide seems to be going against us, self-belief alone may not be enough to get us over the wall. And honestly it’s hard to imagine how far we can push us ourselves when the process and outcome are not rewarding.

Nonetheless, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. With intrinsic and extrinsic motivation working in tandem, herein lies the power of motivation. The two forces create a self-sustaining cycle where the external drives the internal which further empowers the external. And even more amazingly, whenever one weakens, the stronger will keep us going.