By Amanda Ponzar (@LivingUnited)

Motivation is everything. It's what drives athletes to train, compete & win; it's what keeps our brain churning in the middle of the night with flashes of brilliant insight when we're excited about a new project; it's what causes us to sacrifice time, money and more for a great cause.

It's the difference between ordinary and extraordinary, between mediocrity and the "movers and shakers" who change the world.

I've posted on this before "How to improve your motivation & performance."

So today, stop for a second and ask yourself -- what motivates you?

• Meaningful/important work
• Making a real impact, helping someone
• Using your gifts/talents
• Making money (and getting raises, bonuses, etc.)
• Getting promoted, being on the fast track, climbing corporate ladder, etc.
• Being recognized publicly, winning awards, etc.
• Earning respect, achieving status as an expert in your field
• Solving problems, resolving issues, completing projects
• Learning new skills
• Tackling new challenges
• Working with energized, fun, committed people (great team)
• Inspirational leadership
• Flexible work schedules/good work life balance
• Something else?

Once you figure out what motivates you, determine how best to tap it to keep yourself going strong. We are all capable of great things -- I was reminded of that again when our office of 200+ people blew our goal out of the water and raised more than $437,000 in our United Way campaign last month -- we just need to determine what drives us and use it to achieve our goals.