Acharya Prashant explains that what people commonly refer to as self-motivation is often just a subtle form of external influence. He clarifies that a motive implies a desire or target outside of oneself, which is essentially a form of greed. External motivation is temporary because it depends on the presence of a motivator; once the motivator leaves, the energy dissipates. Even what we call self-motivation is frequently the result of hidden external forces, such as advertising or social pressure, which deceive us into believing that borrowed goals are our own. He asserts that all motivation is external, whether it is overt or covert, and that it acts as a poor substitute for one's own internal engine. Instead of seeking motivation, Acharya Prashant suggests that one should rely on understanding. He uses the metaphor of a high-powered car being pushed by people because the driver has forgotten the keys. Motivation is like that external push, which is inefficient and demeaning. The true internal engine is understanding, which provides both power and direction from within. He emphasizes that one does not need to be shown the way by others; rather, one must discover their own innate energy. When one operates from understanding, actions are always backed by the appropriate amount of energy, and one becomes the master of their own life, knowing when to act and when to relax. To find the 'keys' to this internal engine, one must stop looking for answers in the outside world. Acharya Prashant explains that from childhood, people are conditioned to respond to external rewards and punishments, which fosters a habit of looking outward for validation and goals. This cultivated helplessness makes people dependent on social norms and conventions. To reclaim one's power, one must have the courage to turn their sight inward and look at the heart. By stopping the search for external identities and definitions, and by having faith in oneself, one can access the internal source of energy that has always been present but forgotten.