Motivation Is Perceived Deprivation

Most people think motivation is this mysterious force… something you either “have” or you don’t.

But motivation is actually measurable. And the simplest way to understand it is this:

Motivation equals deprivation. You want water in direct proportion to how thirsty you

are. You crave intimacy in direct proportion to how long it’s been.

And you feel hunger in direct proportion to how empty your stomach is. When your body is

deprived, your motivation increases. Simple. Obvious.

Instinctive. But money… money doesn’t follow this rule the same way. If deprivation creates

motivation… then the poorest people should be the most motivated to make more.