Need for achievement (
N-Ach) refers to an individual's desire for significant accomplishment, mastering of skills, control, or high standards. The term was first used by
Henry Murray and associated with a range of actions. These include: "intense, prolonged and repeated efforts to accomplish something difficult. To work with singleness of purpose towards a high and distant
goal. To have the determination to win". The concept of N-Ach was subsequently popularised by the psychologist
David McClelland.