"Motivation can be described as either direct or indirect. Direct motivation is like hunger. The action that you perform (eating) directly satisfies the need (hunger). Indirect motivation is a little more complicated because there is something in between the action and the fulfilled need. For example, money may be an indirect motivation to work hard. Money by itself is useless unless you spend it on something, like your rent or mortgage. Having a place to live is the motivation to work hard and money sits in the middle as an indirect motivator."