Motivate means to give someone a reason to take action or try hard at something. When a coach motivates her team before a big game, she helps them find the energy and determination to play their best. When a teacher motivates students to read more books, he might start an exciting classroom competition or share stories that make reading feel like an adventure rather than a chore.

Motivation can come from outside sources (a parent offering ice cream for finishing homework) or from within yourself (wanting to master the piano because you love how music sounds). The strongest motivation usually comes from inside: when you care about what you're doing, when you want to prove something to yourself, or when you're genuinely curious about learning something new.

People can motivate others through encouragement, rewards, or by helping them see why something matters. But you can also motivate yourself by remembering your goals or thinking about how good you'll feel when you accomplish something difficult. A motivated person shows energy and determination, while someone who lacks motivation might procrastinate or give up easily. Scientists who study motivation have found that people work hardest when they understand why their work matters and when they believe they can succeed.