Motivation thread

[danzibr]

Hey playgrounders,

What gives you motivation?

For the day-to-day stuff, it varies. As a student, I want to do the best math I can do, and I don't want my advisor's wrath. As a teacher, I want to give my students a good lecture. At home, I do dishes and laundry and try to be a good guy for my family. For fitness, I just look at this picture.
http://henrycavill.org/images/stories/_imm07.jpg
So what gives you the willpower to get through the day?

[Serpentine]

If I knew what gave me motivation, I'd probably get a lot more done...

[warty goblin]

I find an excellent source of motivation to be understanding that a good way to get something done is to do it yourself.

[danzibr]

I find an excellent source of motivation to be understanding that a good way to get something done is to do it yourself.
Reminds me of the Nike slogan.

[valadil]

Not getting depressed. When I'm not doing things I get depressed. Even if I don't want to go to the gym, practice guitar, do housework, or learn a new programming language, sucking it up and doing it is way less bad than doing nothing instead. If I go to bed feeling like I've been productive, I'm happy.

[Aurenthal]

My wallpaper:

http://wallb.com/assets/2013/12/HDR-photography-challenge-cityscapes-inspirational-motivational-posters-mountains-outer-space-roads-728x455.png

[shadow_archmagi]

I use social contracts as a motivator. If I try to go to the gym on my own? I skip a lot, because it's cold outside and too easy to decide the time would be better spent sleeping in.

If I've got a workout partner, then I have to go, because I told Steve I would, and Steve is gonna be waiting for me there, and I don't want to be a bad friend who doesn't show up to stuff.

[Asta Kask]

If I knew what gave me motivation, I'd probably get a lot more done...

Something like this. Whenever I want to get something done I look at this:

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb359/Valdagast/DSC_0812_zpsa40ced49.jpg (http://s1201.photobucket.com/user/Valdagast/media/DSC_0812_zpsa40ced49.jpg.html)

And I decide to cuddle with the cat instead.

[blunk]

I ask my ideal self what would make him proud of me, and then I do it. Then I write him a letter telling him what I did and that he should be proud of me.

[Karoht]

The knowledge that another adventure is just around the corner.

[Asta Kask]

When I worked, it was the unknown - all that was out there to explore and discover.

[shawnhcorey]

What gives you motivation?

Coffee. :smallbiggrin:

[Hyena]

There is more interesting stuff to be enjoyed in the future. But to get all that, I must first do this.

[inexorabletruth]

I am so glad this thread exists! I've been thinking about starting one myself.

I like to watch music videos that make me smile or get me pumped up. Like this:
Goose MCs by Zach Sherwin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2Cix-5-8_k)

Sometimes, I'll usually pick a different video to meet the motivation I need. Something angrier and more aggressive if I have to fight a lot of red tape, or something more "you're the best" if I need to boost my confidence, or something silly if I need to face something that will make me sad.

I also go to a picture site like meta-picture and get a few quick laughs before tackling the day.

If the day is really hard, I set a playlist and keep my energy going through my favorite songs, and set rewards for each accomplishment. Each time I get a small task done, I take a break to spend time with my wife and son, or I go onto the Playground for a quick "hello!" Or if I can't do either, I send my wife a text letting her know I love her and carry on with the day.