I am going to reference this article I just read, hence the title of this post. I have often thought about motivation and feel that I need a why behind my what. Sometimes I may overthink things, but I believe it is important to understand your underlying reasons for doing things.

Being motivated by money for the sake of money leads to unstable emotional regulation and a lot of obnoxious and superficial behavior.

Being motivated by the approval of others leads to needy and unattractive behavior.

Being motivated by the approval of others because you’re an artist and want to construct art that moves and inspires people in new and powerful ways is far more sustainable and noble. 

I love this. Figure out your ‘why’ and go for it, full force. Find your deeper purpose through growth and contribution. Growth means finding a way to make yourself a better person. Contribution means finding a way to make other people better.