What motivates you? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

lktknow · 11-17-2008, 08:33 PM

I've always been fairly active "get it done" sort of person, but as of lately, I find myself procrastinating and wasting a lot of useless time doing it. It seems I just don't have the motivation to get up and get things done.
Because of this, (which has been going on for about 6 or 7 months) it is an almost overwhelming feeling of , "where do I start?" sort of thing.
I was wondering what motivates you in the daily battle.

Ch'i · 11-17-2008, 09:33 PM

Without hesitation, without any excuse, just pick one thing and do it. No though, no hesitation; just do it.

Eweser · 11-18-2008, 04:33 AM

That "having it done" feeling. If I have a project that I know is going to go on forever, it's very hard for me to even start on it. I've always liked tasks where I can see what I've accomplished (mowing the lawn, laundry, etc)...Why I got into programming I'm not sure, since most projects are never truly "finished".

SabrinaFair · 11-18-2008, 05:43 AM

What motivates me on a day-to-day basis is the fear of failure and shame. Because I don't want to bring embarrassment to myself or my family, I get shit done, even when I really don't want to.

JamesB · 11-18-2008, 08:02 AM

Love of life - despite current turmoil; that is what motivates me.

When you just get things done instead of procrastinating (and spending time & energy feeling bad that you are procrastinating), you are able to spend more time enjoying life.

snowy · 11-18-2008, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesB

When you just get things done instead of procrastinating (and spending time & energy feeling bad that you are procrastinating), you are able to spend more time enjoying life.

I've learned this lesson, but I'm not so sure my SO has. I used to be a massive procrastinator, but then I found anxiety over my procrastination was eating me up. So now I get shit done.

My SO is learning to get shit done instead of putting it off and continuing to worry. He's learning that it's easier to just bite the bullet, especially when it comes to unpleasant things, or else they just get more stressful over time.

dworkin31 · 11-18-2008, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SabrinaFair

What motivates me on a day-to-day basis is the fear of failure and shame. Because I don't want to bring embarrassment to myself or my family, I get shit done, even when I really don't want to.

Typical lawyer-type. Fear is the ultimate motivator. Sabrina, when you become an attorney, you have to prepare. No choice around it. You screw up, i guarantee you a client will sue you and no doubt turn around and report you to your state bar.

Fear = Motivation. Getting a paycheck = Food on Table.

skizziks · 11-18-2008, 08:41 AM

I used to get things done because if i didn´t, i'd have to deal with the langoliers.

I find I get things done when the "timing seems right" or I get sick of how things are. For example, cleaning the house or doing the dishes: eventually i get sick of it and i become a cleaning juggernaut, for a day. If I had a project or something, usually the deadline would drive me. If left to my own devices about some things, I just wait until i feel like doing it, then i do it.

But I no longer feel like a failure or disgrace when I dont get things done. I've recently lost the will to get things done, hence my "nothing matters" thread in the philosophy section.

Baraka_Guru · 11-18-2008, 08:51 AM

I've been thinking a lot about this recently.

I'm a serial procrastinator and a chronic underachiever. I have been my whole life, so it's deeply entrenched. I'm trying to break out of this, so I've been exploring topics of motivation and success.

I tend to agree with the common thread I've found, which is that goal-setting is absolutely crucial...the ol' "failing to plan is planning to fail."

We might know about our responsibilities or, in a general sense, what we want to do or what we want out of life, but without goals it's difficult to achieve these things. Goals give us a picture, they contextualize what we're doing so that our mind has an easy time figuring things out.

If we set out specific and realistic goals, our mind naturally gravitates to the things we need to do, and it becomes motivated to accomplish them.

We can also view our goals as a way of understanding the consequences of not reaching them. We can think of what would happen to us if we were to fail to reach our goals. We can also think of what would happen to those who are closest to us. Moreover, we can think of the great things that would happen if we were to reach our most important goals. I think this is what motivates me.

stevie667 · 11-18-2008, 04:26 PM

Pressure, a challenge and novelty, if i don't perceive there to be one of the three then i won't do anything.

Absoloutly bummer at the moment because i have lots of work to do and have done absoloutly nilch, i simply do not care, and find my energies being channeled into much less constructive things.

alkaloid · 11-20-2008, 07:19 PM

Have you considered a religion? Perhaps you have something in mind already. Many religions in the world can be quite motivating. I can recommend the church of GTD, based on the writings of David Allen. Some people think it's a bit cultish, but many people find it quite useful.

Getting Things Done - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

jewels · 11-23-2008, 04:38 AM

My children. Even once they're all grown.

Second place = my Self. I have to show the weaker side of me just how strong I can be.

thingstodo · 11-23-2008, 04:51 AM

I tend to not need motivation if I attempt to focus on things that energize me. By that I mean things where I can use my natural talents and abilities. This makes the things I do effortless. Think of it this way: recall the activities you do where time flies and you have no idea where the time went. I have identified what natural talents I have that help me be successful in these activites and then make sure I bring these to bear as often as possible in the many things I do.

I have found if I don't like something in a bad way there are many ways to manage around the activities. For example, I can pay someone to do them, I can find someone that like those activities as much as I hate them or I look for different ways to use my natural talents to accomplish the less than desireable things.

Push-Pull · 11-23-2008, 08:20 AM

At the moment, making sure I keep my job is the big one. In the recent past, it's been pretty much all about simply paying the bills and keeping our heads above water.
In the distant past, I really didn't have much motivation other than whatever I wanted to do. And that wasn't getting me very far. Funny how burning your ships can motivate you in ways you never imagined....

vermin · 11-24-2008, 06:52 PM

Other people who live in my house and won't shut the fuck up about it if it takes more than a certain amount of time to get a task completed.
A pretty good motivator, actually. The quest for peace.

lktknow · 11-26-2008, 10:09 AM

Thanks to all you responded...the answers helped a lot...
I keep coming back to the basic one chi posted...just pick a task, and do it.

11-17-2008, 08:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
lktknow Insane Location: here&there	What motivates you? I've always been fairly active "get it done" sort of person, but as of lately, I find myself procrastinating and wasting a lot of useless time doing it. It seems I just don't have the motivation to get up and get things done. Because of this, (which has been going on for about 6 or 7 months) it is an almost overwhelming feeling of , "where do I start?" sort of thing. I was wondering what motivates you in the daily battle. __________________ Never give up on something that you can’t go a day without thinking about. ~

11-18-2008, 04:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
Eweser Psycho Location: O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A	That "having it done" feeling. If I have a project that I know is going to go on forever, it's very hard for me to even start on it. I've always liked tasks where I can see what I've accomplished (mowing the lawn, laundry, etc)...Why I got into programming I'm not sure, since most projects are never truly "finished". __________________ "Whoever wrote this episode should die!"

11-18-2008, 05:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
SabrinaFair Junkie Location: Louisville, KY	What motivates me on a day-to-day basis is the fear of failure and shame. Because I don't want to bring embarrassment to myself or my family, I get shit done, even when I really don't want to. __________________ "With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy." -Desiderata

11-18-2008, 08:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
JamesB Insane Location: Ottawa	Love of life - despite current turmoil; that is what motivates me. When you just get things done instead of procrastinating (and spending time & energy feeling bad that you are procrastinating), you are able to spend more time enjoying life. __________________ -- apt-get install spare_time --

11-18-2008, 08:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	I've been thinking a lot about this recently. I'm a serial procrastinator and a chronic underachiever. I have been my whole life, so it's deeply entrenched. I'm trying to break out of this, so I've been exploring topics of motivation and success. I tend to agree with the common thread I've found, which is that goal-setting is absolutely crucial...the ol' "failing to plan is planning to fail." We might know about our responsibilities or, in a general sense, what we want to do or what we want out of life, but without goals it's difficult to achieve these things. Goals give us a picture, they contextualize what we're doing so that our mind has an easy time figuring things out. If we set out specific and realistic goals, our mind naturally gravitates to the things we need to do, and it becomes motivated to accomplish them. We can also view our goals as a way of understanding the consequences of not reaching them. We can think of what would happen to us if we were to fail to reach our goals. We can also think of what would happen to those who are closest to us. Moreover, we can think of the great things that would happen if we were to reach our most important goals. I think this is what motivates me. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

11-17-2008, 09:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ch'i Artist of Life	Without hesitation, without any excuse, just pick one thing and do it. No though, no hesitation; just do it.

11-18-2008, 08:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
skizziks Insane Location: out west	I used to get things done because if i didn´t, i'd have to deal with the langoliers. I find I get things done when the "timing seems right" or I get sick of how things are. For example, cleaning the house or doing the dishes: eventually i get sick of it and i become a cleaning juggernaut, for a day. If I had a project or something, usually the deadline would drive me. If left to my own devices about some things, I just wait until i feel like doing it, then i do it. But I no longer feel like a failure or disgrace when I dont get things done. I've recently lost the will to get things done, hence my "nothing matters" thread in the philosophy section.

11-18-2008, 04:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
stevie667 Too Awesome for Aardvarks Location: Angloland	Pressure, a challenge and novelty, if i don't perceive there to be one of the three then i won't do anything. Absoloutly bummer at the moment because i have lots of work to do and have done absoloutly nilch, i simply do not care, and find my energies being channeled into much less constructive things. __________________ Office hours have changed. Please call during office hours for more information.

11-20-2008, 07:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
alkaloid Dead Inside Location: East Coast, USA	Have you considered a religion? Perhaps you have something in mind already. Many religions in the world can be quite motivating. I can recommend the church of GTD, based on the writings of David Allen. Some people think it's a bit cultish, but many people find it quite useful. Getting Things Done - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

11-23-2008, 04:38 AM	#12 (permalink)
jewels Eponymous Location: Central Central Florida	My children. Even once they're all grown. Second place = my Self. I have to show the weaker side of me just how strong I can be. __________________ We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess. Mark Twain

11-23-2008, 04:51 AM	#13 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	I tend to not need motivation if I attempt to focus on things that energize me. By that I mean things where I can use my natural talents and abilities. This makes the things I do effortless. Think of it this way: recall the activities you do where time flies and you have no idea where the time went. I have identified what natural talents I have that help me be successful in these activites and then make sure I bring these to bear as often as possible in the many things I do. I have found if I don't like something in a bad way there are many ways to manage around the activities. For example, I can pay someone to do them, I can find someone that like those activities as much as I hate them or I look for different ways to use my natural talents to accomplish the less than desireable things. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

11-23-2008, 08:20 AM	#14 (permalink)
Push-Pull I'll ask when I'm ready.... Location: Firmly in the middle....	At the moment, making sure I keep my job is the big one. In the recent past, it's been pretty much all about simply paying the bills and keeping our heads above water. In the distant past, I really didn't have much motivation other than whatever I wanted to do. And that wasn't getting me very far. Funny how burning your ships can motivate you in ways you never imagined.... __________________ "No laws, no matter how rigidly enforced, can protect a person from their own stupidity." -Me- "Some people are like Slinkies..... They are not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs." -Unknown- DAMMIT! -Jack Bauer-

11-24-2008, 06:52 PM	#15 (permalink)
vermin Indifferent to anti-matter Location: Tucson, AZ	Other people who live in my house and won't shut the fuck up about it if it takes more than a certain amount of time to get a task completed. A pretty good motivator, actually. The quest for peace. __________________ If puns were sausages, this would be the wurst.

11-26-2008, 10:09 AM	#16 (permalink)
lktknow Insane Location: here&there	replies Thanks to all you responded...the answers helped a lot... I keep coming back to the basic one chi posted...just pick a task, and do it. __________________ Never give up on something that you can’t go a day without thinking about. ~