What Motivates You?

[LSPoorEeyorick]

It's a super question for those who don't like their jobs. Because how do we all get along in them, anyway? I've been in a really horrible OK-pay job for two and a half years, and there was a period when I was only doing the minimum required. As it turns out, the minimum required isn't actually the minimum required. If you do it long enough, they begin to notice and you have to step up the pace to ensure that you can pay your bills.

Paying my bills. That motivates me.

But as for my evening work? My writing? My miserable day job inspires me-- I don't want to do it anymore. My desire to be creative inspires me. The Artist's Way inspires me. (And it might inspire you, too.)

Perhaps what you're really discovering, Chris, is that you envision a different kind of life for yourself. Something creative. Something that allows you to use your skills for good and not for evil. (Oh, wait, that's just me; insurance is the chosen career of Satan, you know.) And I encourage you to try to motivate yourself in your regular job-- but to also think outside of it. Have you ever wanted to write a novel? A travel guide? Have you ever wanted to be a silversmith? A filmmaker? A pastry chef? It is never too late.

[Ponine]

People inspire me. Not everyone...
People with life in them that is unfamiliar to what I see everyday.
and music.

Sometimes, it will hit just right, and when I hit a rut at work, I need to listen to music to work without thinking how much I dislike what I am doing. Bless my ipod.

but then motivates me to do what? inspires me to what end? Sometimes, only to finish the project.
Other times... Out come the paints.

p.s. .... but I totally agree with that mouse comment.

[tracilicious]

Originally Posted by LSPoorEeyorick

Perhaps what you're really discovering, Chris, is that you envision a different kind of life for yourself. Something creative. Something that allows you to use your skills for good and not for evil. (Oh, wait, that's just me; insurance is the chosen career of Satan, you know.) And I encourage you to try to motivate yourself in your regular job-- but to also think outside of it. Have you ever wanted to write a novel? A travel guide? Have you ever wanted to be a silversmith? A filmmaker? A pastry chef? It is never too late.

I'm going to have to disagree with the last part. At some point it will be too late. For all of us. If we find ourselves living a life that is less than fulfilling, perhaps what we need isn't motivation to do something only that only marginally satisfies us, perhaps what we need is something different.

A career change isn't always practical at any given moment, but if there are things you'd rather be doing then you can always take a class or befriend people in that field, etc. At least then you're working towards fulfilling your dream. If you don't then one day you're going to wake up as an old man with fingers too bony and arthritic to do anything really useful.