Give the meaning of motivation.

Motivation refers to the internal and external forces that stimulate, direct, and maintain a person’s behavior toward achieving specific goals. It is a psychological process that influences an individual’s willingness to exert effort to accomplish tasks or objectives. Motivation arises from a combination of intrinsic factors (such as personal interests, satisfaction, and self-fulfillment) and extrinsic factors (such as rewards, recognition, and incentives). It initiates action, sustains effort over time, and determines the direction and intensity of behavior. In a business context, motivation plays a crucial role in enhancing employee performance, productivity, and job satisfaction by aligning individual goals with organizational objectives.