There are many motivating factors for those that consistently attain exceptional results.  The focus and effort required to reach your goals often derive from individual needs.

While the specific drivers of our actions and behaviours vary for each of us based on our personality, environment and general life philosophy, ultimately it is underpinned by a desire to increase our happiness and joy

Common Motivators

Compensation and recognition underly the majority of motivational techniques.   Compensation encompasses direct financial to any type of reward (e.g., a new TV).  Recognition ranges from a simple thank-you to a top award (e.g., Olympic Gold Medal).

While the reasons for anyone specific behaviours or actions can be far ranging from a wide variety of needs and wants almost all can be linked back to compensation and recognition.

Recognition, Only five minutes of fame?

A quick thank-you or acknowledgement of success seems brief and fleeting.  In reality, the effect is much more durable and longer lasting.

The impact of praise or even just acknowledgement continues to the next task or goal.  It has been shown by many studies into the nature of winning/success that achievement increases the probability of future outcomes being positive.

This is not an absolute, winning can be followed by loosing, but on a statistical basis winning is more likely to become consistent when coupled with recognition.

Simply put, the statement “Success breeds success” is intuitively true for most people.

Unrecognized success is far less powerful a motivator than that which is acknowledged and commended.