Where does Motivation come from?

Another epiphany or random thought... Where does motivation come from?  Is it a motivational saying, someone saying something derogatory, a complimentary word or an encouraging hug, a blog we have read, http://tofatandback.com/, or a video we have seen, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqmASFA7eB0&feature=share or even a tv show/movie that might have inspired us. http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/extreme-makeover-weight-loss-edition.  On my drive home from training last night, this was my question to myself?  What inspires and motivates me? Money motivates me, nice weather motivates me, a day off can be motivating, working towards a vacation can motivate me...but what else motivates me?

Take away the fact I LOVE a challenge, don't count that I am competitive by nature, don't include that I HATE someone telling me I CAN'T do something, because I will prove to you I CAN, exclude my Type A personality; I seem to have found that there is a fine line between what & who motivates me and who my mentors are and what people inspire me.

The more I think about the Motivation side of things ~ I think this can be day by day, month by month, to how long one's goal may be.  Mini goals, short term, and long term - What does it take to keep anyone on track?  For me, I know that I am an over thinker and analyse everything!  My mind is sometimes my greatest enemy ~ NOT my cheerleader!  But...I can sometimes have it work for me as well (I think I mentioned in a previous post I am an optimist not a pessimist) ~ go figure!  lol....

Let's start with motivation before I get way off topic....

My children motivate me - making me want to be the best parent to them I can, regardless of their ages (21 & 24).  I want them to be proud of me just like I am proud of them.
My friends motivate me - I don't want to let them down, I want them to know that they can depend and count on me regardless of the task.
The scale motivates me....I HATE it!  But...to step on it, and be accountable - motivates me.
In relation to my *challenge to myself* - the sheer fear of looking out of place on a fitness stage motivates me to work hard, to train to the best of my ability and then some.
My friend and trainer Blake Venechuk http://www.totalbodydevelopment.ca/blake-venechuk.php who makes me sweat and pushes me pass where I think I can go - and believes that I can do it motivates and inspires me...but we haven't yet talked about inspiration.  Motivation and inspiration - are they the same?  Hmmm...makes one think...

The more I think about it, I am inspired by what I see & hear depending on the context and what my focus is at the time.  I am motivated by a wide variety of things.

Some years back when I was doing home sales, I used to say, *Motivation was necessity and necessity was Motivation*.  Depending on circumstances or mind set at the time. At that point and time, I was *Motivated* to go and work in home sales out of the *Necessity* to bring money in, so that my kids would have the extras that we did not have the money for.   I still believe this ~ but really what motivates the average person or the not so average person?  And why are some people more motivated than others?  Is it what is important to them at the time?

The question is - "Where do you get your Motivation & What Motivates You?"