I'm talking about authors/writers. I'm talking about your characters.

Motivation is a strong ingredient in fiction. Whether it's part of the plot in novels or screenplays, it excites readers to keep turning pages. Especially when you have strong obstacles standing in the way of a character's dreams.
Watching movies today, the strongest movitation very often shows up in plots about sports. A new coach wants his team to hit the big time after floundering for years. They're at the bottom of the league; any lower and there'd be no team. The new coach has arrived full of fiery ideas about winning and ways to motivate his beaten down team. I'm sure you've seen many movies like this.
Doesn't matter whether it's about baseball, football, swimming, hockey--as in America's Team: those who took every medal in the Olympics--or any other sport. These movies are inspiring and what I call 'feel good' movies. And let's not forget 'The Karate Kid' series.
However, if you'll notice, in these plots winning wasn't easy. Team members had been so beaten down and humiliated by other teams during games, they've lost confidence and fight the coach every step of the way. Or something takes place with the league they're in and they might not be allowed to play. Showing the fiery nature of the opposing coach and teams also makes for good motivation. As does injuries that might keep the key player out of the game.
Obstacles can be anything from bad weather to poor equipment. Bad weather matters when you're taking a solo trip in a yacht across the world. This is the obstacle and it's realistic, making the character more sympathetic.
Character motivation can at times seem unrealistic--as in 'Totally Blonde'. The main character wants to graduate from law school to show up her ex-boyfriend. The biggest obstacle in this plot is the character herself. She's seen as a dizzy girl who thinks of nothing but fashion, her girlfriends, her little dog. She's giddy, acts stupid. How can she pull this off? The fact that she did makes this another 'feel good' movie. And movie goers were anxious to see the next installment.
Motivation has to be a strong driving force in any movie. However, if a character just goes ahead and achieves his goals without a hitch, it's boring. It's when that character is confronted by strong obstacles that a novel or movie becomes inspiring.