<p>motivation/competitive nature at least within the 4 kids I have, is self directed. Two with two without. 10 year old wrote a research paper for his G/T class unassisted bar the taking him to the library. 8 year old average grade wise does all her own homework to perfection without asking. The two older ones, fire and bombs are needed to motivate them to do anything above the requirement, always choosing the paths of least resistance. Same parents, same lectures, it is self driven, as far as my experience has been.</p>