Motivation. Everyone needs it, yet many seem to lack it. Without motivation it's nearly impossible to meet a goal.

What exactly is motivation? The answer is going to vary depending on whom you talk to. The word itself comes from the root word "motive," which refers to a desire, want or need that drives you towards reaching a goal. Motivation, then, is the art of tapping into that desire to keep striving toward a goal. It is a psychological phenomenon in which people are pushed to meet their needs and wants through working towards goals.

President Eisenhower put it well when he said, "Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it." If you can find this art internally, you will position yourself for success no matter what your goals are. Motivation is what will push you to take risks, work toward a goal and, ultimately, succeed.

Yet, finding motivation is not the hard part. It's often keeping yourself motivated in spite of failures and setbacks that is challenging. By adhering to these twelve rules of motivation, you can find, and then keep, motivation in your life, so you can push yourself harder as you strive toward your personal and professional goals.