"Misguided Motivation"

I found this article about how people, young and older, can end up being motivated for the wrong reasons in life. The guy who wrote it is a martial arts instructor who noted that many of his clients are always wanting to get the next belt. While the belt system was put into place to motivate people to get better, it is also motivating them the wrong way. Many people do better in hopes of getting the "A" in a class, the higher paying job, the "student of the Month" award, and such, but it is becoming more and more rare that we see people who do things and challenge themselves just to get better. I just recently experienced something similar to this in my own life. I am submitting a composition to a contest, and many people are saying "Well, I hope you place." I respond with, "Well it was good practice in composing, so it's okay if I don't." Yes, it would be amazing to win or even place, but am I counting on it? No. We as (future) teachers need to make sure that our students aren't only trying hard to get the "A" on their project, but that they are actually learning and gaining something from the experience.