I have been pondering this topic and various related topics a bit lately. I guess... I feel ... unmotivated. So, I've been wondering how to be motivated? I decided that the ultimate question that I needed to answer was, "What is the motivator that motivates motivation?" ...or how can I become motivated? What is my motivation? How does one become motivated in the first place?
Well, I'm not sure this is the correct answer, but I decided that "Love" was the ultimate motivator. Now, I already know that some people would reject that statement, but I really think that love is what motivates us to action. Or rather, love of __________ motivates us to action. Some people love knowledge, so they spend their time learning. Some people love money, so they spend their time in ways that allow them to accrue more money. Some people love getting money for nothing, so they spend their time doing nothing with hopes of gaining it (like gambling, lottery, shifty business "opportunities," etc.). Some people love success, love themselves, etc, etc, etc. You get the point.
What does this have to do with anything? Well, I decided that to become motivated, I need to love something that would motivate me to do what it is that needs doing. So, now if I find that I have no motivation for something, I've gotta figure out how to love whatever it is that needs doing. But... that didn't exactly help me to feel better because I don't want to love some things. That created a problem.
So... then, I decided that I needed to have a selfless, pure love so that I can be motivated to do good things for the right reasons. You know, a love like God because then, I decided that I would have the motivation to do whatever needs doing. This also helped me to understand myself a bit better. I began to understand my motivation (or, rather, lack of motivation) in different areas of my life. It's like... how can I be so happy and so unhappy at the same time? Not that I'm actually ... unhappy, but rather, unmotivated or incomplete. Hmmm... so I guess I've got a lot to work on to get me to the point where I will be eternally motivated. Argh! ...the imperfections!!!!!
8 comments:
Oh good, your not perfect too.
It was a shock when I realized that I wasn't either. Just kidding.
I agree motivation is not always easy, but it is possible.
and if someone can remind me of that in three weeks that would be great.
Really i guess just push on, and don't forget the important stuff. You know big picture stuff, and things usually turn out for the best.
I had that motivation issue too. I wanted to move on with life after college, but had no motivation or direction. I made a half-hearted attempt at continuing schooling because I thought I loved it, but I don't think I loved to do it enough to try hard enough. oR something.
I'm not sure what it was that motivated me in the end though. Hmm.
What's in three weeks?
Hey, if you ever find out what motivated you in the end, please let me know.
Sometimes I think that doing is believing.
Like... for example... being motivated to exercise: I rarely feel like I want to excercise, but when I actually just make myself do something good for my body, like go for a walk, I feel better and I want to keep doing it. Motivation came from doing it anyway.
maybe it was at my Senior Show (in college) when Sarah Parson said, "oh, you didn't ever want to move out of Cedar, right?" I think she was already signed up for a teaching job and was dating her future doctor husband. Perhaps I was trying to impress other people...hey, if I don't become the smartest scholar or best artist, at least I moved away from home! Yup. I think that was it.
My motivation comes not so much from the benefits of what happens if I do it, but what will happen if I don't. I dislike the bad consequences enough to motivate me to do the action. It's not the promise of the good, it's fear of the bad that motivates me most. And sometimes that's enough. Example: Do I want to finish law school so badly? Meh. But if I don't finish law school I'll be out how many thousands of dollars in tuition/student loans without the possibility of a high return from a lucrative career. See? More fear of the negative than benefit of the positive.
Three weeks, that's my Christmas rush. None of my jobs will be working. I'll be behind on everything, and I'll get less and less motivated with all of it. Actually I thought your answer about what motivates was pretty accurate, until I heard a better one. And I think it is perfect. See Lectures on faith #1
Hmmm. What motivates me? That's a great question and I've thought about it for a bit before I've commented. I think love is a great answer. I love my job and my boss, so I'm motivated to work hard (more often than not). When I love classes (even/especially hard ones) I'm motivated to study more and learn the material better. I love my friends and family, so I spend time with them even when sometimes I just want to stay home and read an Agatha Christie mystery. As I looked at my life I realized that everything I do is motivated by love.
Thanks for the thought-provoking question. This is one of the reasons I so enjoy talking to you. :)
Post a Comment