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How do you stay motivated?

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by GeneticShift, Aug 4, 2014.

  1. GeneticShift

    GeneticShift Show me your everything is okay face.

    Location:
    The land of drugs, violence, and 8 Mile Road
    Clearly, this is a discussion I can benefit from as I'm starting this thread instead of doing lab work, since I go on vacation in 3 days and don't have a fire under my butt right now. ;)

    How do you stay motivated? This applies to work, school, home life, your relationship, so on. What do you do to keep you going, even if things are shitty and frustrating?

    I run into this a lot in the lab. Even when my experiments fail and my professor is a dick, I have to keep going. I try and focus on the fact that I'll be done as soon as I can. I just need to finish some experiments and write this goddamn thesis. Then I can get a job and be an adult.

    What do you do to keep yourself going, even if you really don't want to?
     
    GeneticShift, Aug 4, 2014
    #1
  2. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    There are a variety of things that coax myself to be productive.
    • Feeling obligated
    • Guilt
    • Wanting to help
    • Ego, vanity and ambition
    • Needing to get it out of my head
    • Play games with myself
    • Give rewards
    • Do just "one" thing...or do it bit by bit.
    I actually battle myself constantly...some days my drive really digs its heals in...even to the point of hurting my status.
    I go thru ALL the paces, anything to kickstart me.

    I'd say doing things for others rather than myself is my blessing.
    I like giving.
    If I'm helping...I don't even think about it...I just do it.
    If it's for me...then that's another story.
     
    rogue49, Aug 4, 2014
    #2
  3. Freetofly

    Freetofly Diving deep into the abyss

    Location:
    From Philly USA, living in London UK
    Have a " Kick Me Please" sticker on your butt! :D

    I make-up deadlines and goals in my head, regardless of how small they may be. Then I'm able to tick them off my list for that day, week, ect.
     
    Freetofly, Aug 5, 2014
    #3
  4. Stan

    Stan Resident Dumbass

    Location:
    Colorado
    I have a very low threshold for boredom that passes for motivation. I need to be doing something, constantly. Sometimes, it's even productive.
     
    Stan, Aug 5, 2014
    #4
  5. YankeeStout

    YankeeStout Vertical

    Location:
    The finest city in America
    When work is getting tough, take a step back from it. Go watch a movie or get a nap in. If you can't do that, close your eyes and take some deep breaths (cliche I know) but it works for me. Just remember you're trying to eat an elephant, but you just gotta do it one bite at a time.
     
    YankeeStout, Aug 29, 2014
    #5
  6. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    Knowing how much time it will really take keeps me motivated with a lot of day-to-day tasks. Unloading the dishwasher seems like such a drag, and it is, but it's only two minutes of time. Keeping the house clean? Fifteen minutes to half an hour, maximum.

    With things I really don't want to do, I bribe myself. I'd been putting off unpacking and organizing our home office. I bribed myself with lipsticks.
     
    snowy, Aug 29, 2014
    #6
  7. SigilofBaphomet1567

    SigilofBaphomet1567 Vertical

    Location:
    northwestern ohio-ish/southwest michigan
    two words. hard. drugs.:)
     
    SigilofBaphomet1567, Nov 24, 2014
    #7
  8. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    I need to remember some of my own tips and tricks this week.

    Lipstick bribery it is.
     
    snowy, Mar 25, 2015
    #8