How to Build Motivation

It's Christmas Eve. I'm invited to share my entrepreneurial story with 10th-grade students from the Mathematics High School in Kazanlak. Smart kids. Sharp questions. High energy.

Instead of giving a classic talk, I decide to flip the dynamic. I ask them a simple question: "What helps you succeed?"

At first, there's hesitation. Then hands go up. One by one, they start sharing. Very quickly, the conversation drifts toward motivation - and how they manage to stay motivated every single day.

Here's what they said.

"I do what needs to be done."

About half of the students shared some version of this. They've learned, from a young age, to do what needs to be done - not what feels good in the moment. This is delayed gratification in action.

At first, they act on autopilot, copying what they see at home (from their parents) - waking up early, showing up, doing what’s expected of them.

Over time, something interesting happens. "Doing what you have to do" becomes part of who you are. You stop negotiating with yourself. You don't ask if you'll study. You ask when.

Routines take over. Habits reduce friction. Decisions disappear.

"I focus on the end result."

Some students stay motivated by visualizing the finish line. Passing the exam. Winning the competition. Getting accepted.

They imagine the relief. The pride. The moment it's finally done. That image carries them through the boring parts.

"I do it out of spite."

This one surprised me. More than a few students admitted this openly.

Someone tells you: "You can't do it." Something flips. You have to prove them wrong.

A bruised ego, it turns out, can be a powerful fuel. Not the healthiest one - but undeniably effective.

"I need someone to push me."

Several students talked about moments when they get stuck. Overthinking. Doubting. Going in circles.

In those moments, one conversation can change everything. A parent. A friend. A teacher. Someone who says: "Just take the next step."

Sometimes that's all it takes.

From Conversation to Framework

That conversation stayed with me. So I went back and revisited modern motivation frameworks - Self-Determination Theory, the SDT Continuum, and The Four Forms of Motivation.

Then I did what I always do. I simplified them.

Here's a practical version - four classes of motivation, from weakest to strongest.

The Four Classes of Motivation

A) External Motivation

This is the most basic form. You act because of rewards or punishments.

Examples:

• Studying to get a good grade
• Working only for the paycheck
• Going to the gym because your company pays for it
• Doing homework to avoid being yelled at

It works - but only while the reward or threat exists. Remove it, and motivation disappears.

B) Internalized External Motivation

Here, the pressure moves inside you. You're still reacting - but now it's guilt, fear, or ego doing the pushing.

Examples:

• Studying to avoid the shame of failing
• Training hard so you don't disappoint your parents
• Staying late at work because you're afraid of being seen as lazy
• Saying yes to every request because you'd feel guilty saying no

You act to avoid bad feelings - or to protect your self-image. It's stronger than pure external motivation, but also exhausting.

C) Value-Driven Motivation

This is where things change. The behavior aligns with your values and identity.

You don't love the activity itself - but you believe in why you're doing it.

Examples:

• Working to support your family
• Volunteering because being useful matters to you
• Waking up early because you value discipline
• Training daily because being an athlete is part of who you are

The control shifts inward. You're not forcing yourself anymore - you're choosing. This kind of motivation lasts.

D) Intrinsic Motivation

This is the strongest form. You do the thing because the thing itself is rewarding.

No pressure. No reward needed. No justification.

Examples:

• Reading because you love reading
• Coding because you enjoy solving puzzles
• Training because movement feels good
• Learning something just out of curiosity

Time disappears. Effort feels lighter. This is where creativity, persistence, and mastery thrive.

The Real Insight

On my way home that evening, I realized something simple:

Motivation doesn't start with passion.

It starts with showing up. Then with values. And if you're lucky - curiosity follows.

The rest is just practice. Even on Christmas Eve.