Motivation is a set of emotions (painful and pleasurable) that act as the fuel for our actions.

Motivation is like fire — unless you keep adding fuel to it, it dies. Your fuel is your belief in your inner values.

Encouragement is the fuel on which hope runs.

Self-Determination Theory (SDT), which is arguably the best understanding science currently has for why some pursuits get our engines running while others leave us cold.8 SDT tells us that motivation, in the workplace or elsewhere, requires that you fulfill three basic psychological needs — factors described as the “nutriments” required to feel intrinsically motivated for your work: Autonomy: the feeling that you have control over your day, and that your actions are important Competence: the feeling that you are good at what you do Relatedness: the feeling of connection to other people

Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly.

Scientists who study human motivation have lately learned that after basic survival needs have been met, the combination of autonomy (the desire to direct your own life), mastery (the desire to learn, explore, and be creative), and purpose (the desire to matter, to contribute to the world) are our most powerful intrinsic drivers — the three things that motivate us most. All three are deeply woven through the fabric of flow.

Enthusiasm is the steam that drives the engine

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.

Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant. There is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks.

Motivation comes from working on things we care about. It also comes from working with people we care about.

A burning sense of passion is the most potent fuel for your dreams.

Motivation begins with the hunger for an end.

It is the main motivation of humankind to be free, to express our true selves and pursue our dreams without restriction — to experience what may be called Personal Freedom.

Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement.