What motivates you? It can be a song, peom, or phrase. Perhaps more practical, like wanting to live the good life or provide for your family, so you work hard.

Many of those things work for me overall, but lately, I have been worn down into a tired funk mood.

Two things sparked me up again for doing things I have been putting off. First was a comment from a co-worker a while ago, saying "You might as well do that task now. You will have to address it regardless of when, so do it now and get it done!". The second, of all things, a fortune cookie saying something to the effect of...."The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention".
So, I started small and before long, I'm going full speed ahead again.

What motivated me when I was working and owned my business was a goal I had for the future.

When I got there, I slowed down and ultimately retired.

Money !

Cash incentive is a good motivator, but it can get very complicated when you think of other forms of motivation.

Still everything goes through a basic cost/benefit analysis. What do I get? What do I lose/pay?

I get motivated by being able to make things happen.

Not really bothered by obstacles as long as progress is being made.

Pride and I guess to some extent ego. I guess both of those things contribute to work ethic.

I’m only good at a few things. And I try to excel at what I’m good at. My career is highly specialized these days and I do a job that few people understand or have a care that it gets done. But, I believe in it and look at things from the big picture of Is society better at the end of the day.

What I don’t have is an idea or belief that I’m something special for doing it. I have a guy that I’m training in hopes that when I’m gone, he ll take over and keep up the good work. He’s younger, but I see the same work ethic in him.

Having an empty nest after 20 years and finally kicking the black hole of misery that is my ex outta my life I can finally concentrate on just that.
I think of opportunity I either missed or passed up while living my life in a way that didn't make sense to me so long and it makes me want to get up and simply get after whatever happens to lie ahead.

First and foremost I am motivated by growing up the youngest of 4 boys with an alcoholic father who gambled (what money he had left after beer) away and being poor. Often times we ate food from a rescue mission my Mom volunteered at and not I didn't get any new clothes until I was a teen and my 2nd oldest brother joined the Air Force and bought me new clothes. I will never forget the kindness my brother showed me and 3rd oldest brother by buying us clothes and other items with some of his 1st paychecks after joining the Air Force.

I am also motivated by being a better father to my children than my dad was to me. My boys are now 15 and 16 and live me with me. We don't always get along but I tell them daily how much I love them and how proud of them I am. They are both close to getting their temps/license and a job; and perhaps in a few years move out(one can hope .) Hopefully they will take the lessons I've tried to teach them and be even more successful than I have been.

Fear. No greater motivator than fear --- at least for a while, until the fear turns into plain old stress.

When I was employed, I learned that you can indeed put off things indefinitely.

Pride.

I like to be proud of my accomplishments.

I will sometimes draft an email, then go back and read it and think to myself, "Damn, that is a good email." I like that feeling. It's what I go for.

You'll see that motivation reflected in non work related projects. How's the sear on that steak? How about that screw, is it snugged down just right? How about that knife, want to see how sharp I got it? Did all the threads on that spark plug get an even coat of anti-seize?

Go big or go home.

Having become a consummate cynic and nihilist, I can only find true motivation in small doses by doing things well whenever possible.

It's a crummy way to live. I hope to one day find a way out of it that lets me stay alive.

I set myself very high goals in high school, and refused to fail!! I got set-backs, but never quit. I did reach my goals, and I am pleased with myself. Sometimes I think maybe I should have stopped to "smell the roses", but I didn't.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
Pride and I guess to some extent ego. ...

This

Money, return business, "thank you" or any other genuine praise from a customer. An honest to goodness "thank you" from my customers go a long way with me.

They can (and are, occasionally) assholes, which is when money is the motivator.

Another one for taking pride in my accomplishments.

When I was younger, if something broke or just did not work any more, I just replaced it or paid someone else to fool with it. Not anymore. I really do enjoy fixing things to get them working again. Oh, I'm not always successful but that doesn't matter. I still take pride in the effort.

Also, this has lead me to learn new things, like welding and soldering, small engine repair, actually understanding how an electrical Multimeter works.

I have learned a lot of new things over the last few years and I really like that.

My family.

God. My bills. My fleet of vehicles. My k9. At work, my members. Gym, every night, fighting the old man that is coming with everything I have. Been self motivated my whole life because nobody else is going to do it for me!

Currently it’s the house. Trying to wait out this remodel fiasco pricing. I want to get it done so I can enjoy the home for 5-7 years, get some more appreciation and get the fuck out of the suburban/city area and go hardcore rural with a metal building with a 4000 sq ft garage, at least 20 acres, and away from most humans. Will take staying on point for years on end to achieve.

Nobody else believes in your dreams but you.