What motivates me, hm.

The satisfaction of a job well done, of bringing a project to competion.

Rewards, of course. When I finish a project I can go be with my wife. When I escape an impossible trap, there are awed gasps and cheers from my crowd; witting or unwitting.

Praise is good as well, though. A showman is nothing if he can't please his audience; wouldn't you agree, Bedlam?