What motivates you in life?

[your_adress_here 11]

People have many different reasons of their own to be alive. People each have things that motivate them through rough times. Be it past memories, loved ones, dreams, everyone has something that keeps them going.

What motivates me mainly is music, and my guitar. People who know me know that I am a very big fan of Iron Maiden. It's amazing how much a band can have such a big influence on ones life. Through Iron Maiden, I discovered many different forms of music (not just metal!). I discovered many new friends and they inspired me to pick up a guitar and learn to play it, which has in turn become my dream to play music as a career. Music has influenced my lifestyle in many different ways, from the way I think, act, dress, and even talk to other people. I am usually a reserved person, but when it comes to talking about music that I like, Maiden in particular, I could go on forever.

My guitar is another great influence on me. It drives me to always try and be better, to accomplish more. I dream of being a professional guitar player. That dream drives me, especially when I'm at work or at school. I dream of one day playing in front of huge audiences, rockin' out on my guitar alongside my best friends. Its a thought that keeps me going.

There are so many other small things that make life worth living, way too many to list. so share with us some things that motivate you in life.

I thought about this while I was bored at work today. I was mindlessly placing things in the aisle (I work in a department store) and I thought to myself, what keeps me going through this boring work day? And then the first thing that came to my head, funnily enough, was a book. And then work didn't seem too bad anymore, cause I knew that once I get home, I'll be able to keep reading my book (Ender's Game).

My, is this what being mature is? They're sure didn't teach that in high school.

[BlondeTwiggy 43]

Mine would be the future

Of course I think that is what keeps everyone motivated.

I have future plans, goals, etc

I am constantly making lists, to-do lists of menial everyday tasks, or bucket lists, things I must do before I die Or lists of ways to improve, then working to accomplish those improvements, usually in a time frame I devise for myself.

My hope of something better keeps me going, hope that I will do better next school year, or make new friends.

Mainly what keeps me going right now is the thought of college. Saving for college, getting good grades.

[Psycho_Teddy 25]

What motivates me in life at this point is knowing that I'm working towards a career that I love with all my being; that being, engineering. I've always been that kid who tears his toys apart to see what's inside and watches "Modern Marvels" on the History Channel rather than Scooby Doo on Cartoon Network. I think it's my real calling in life and hope it will be a rewarding experience.

[Joesocwork 4]

Striving towards competence in serving God, mankind, and my family without going insane.

[screamingman12 30]

Originally posted by: Psycho_Teddy What motivates me in life at this point is knowing that I'm working towards a career that I love with all my being; that being, engineering. I've always been that kid who tears his toys apart to see what's inside and watches "Modern Marvels" on the History Channel rather than Scooby Doo on Cartoon Network. I think it's my real calling in life and hope it will be a rewarding experience.quote>

You remind me of myself.

[Duke87 1,070]

Several different things can motivate me.

First, there's getting something I want out of what I'm doing. (i.e., I'm rewarded)

Second, there's feeling like I'm supposed to be doing what I'm doing. (i.e., it bothers my conscience if I don't)

Third, there's felling like I need to do something in order to feel superior to someone else (I can be very competitive at times)

Fourth, there is, of course, being threatened. This is a dangerous one, though, since it potentially leads to unintended consequences for the threatener.

Because, you know, if you piss me off I'm going to start looking for ways to get back at you for it.

Finally, there's the old contrariness thing. Often I am motivated to do something simply because people don't like it when I do it (complaining to me that something I'm doing bothers you is a great way to ensure that I keep doing it). Or determined not to do something simply because almost everyone else is.

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: your_adress_here

I thought about this while I was bored at work today. I was mindlessly placing things in the aisle (I work in a department store) and I thought to myself, what keeps me going through this boring work day? And then the first thing that came to my head, funnily enough, was a book. And then work didn't seem too bad anymore, cause I knew that once I get home, I'll be able to keep reading my book (Ender's Game).

My, is this what being mature is? They're sure didn't teach that in high school.quote>

Yes, that is part of being mature.   Specifically, it has to do with "delayed gratification".

Quoting from the enotes Encyclopedia of Psychology:

Delay of Gratification

The ability to forgo an immediate pleasure or reward in order to gain a more substantial one later.

Almost everyone, everyday, practices delay of gratification—whether deciding to skip dessert in order to lose weight or give up smoking in order to live longer. The ability to delay gratification is often a sign of emotional and social maturity. Young children, for example, find it more difficult to delay gratification than older children. When kindergartners in one study were offered a choice between getting a small candy bar immediately or a larger one later, 72% chose the smaller candy bar. This number decreased to 67% among first and second graders and 49% for third and fourth graders. By the fifth and sixth grades it had fallen to 38%, nearly half the rate for kindergartners. quote>

 

A less mature person would have said the heck with the job; I'm going to read my book.  As a more mature person, you knew that there are reasons for finishing your work shift that day first.

When I was a kid, one of society's mantras was "live for today".  My parents are fans of "prepare for the future". 

"Living for today" (taken to the extreme) can be a lot of fun but it will catch up with you in harsh ways when the future arrives.

"Preparing for the future" (taken to the extreme) can involve not having any fun along the way.

At some point I decided that a balanced midpoint was best.

So what motivates me to get out of bed each day?    The short version is the old saying:  Things to do, places to go, people to see.  There is a whole world out there.

Most of the time it takes preparations beforehand  and recovery time afterwards to do the things I want to do.  For instance, I forgo the latest electronic gadgets so I can afford things like my football season tickets and the various trips I want to take.  and I have days like today when my muscles are still complaining about the jetski ride I took two days ago.

But I can't let a few sore muscles get in the way, can I? 

[Explodingsims 3]

I guess I'm a member of the Work First, Play Later group. I know that if I can get all my work done now, I'll have more free time later.

As for what motivates me.....College is one thing, that kinda motivates me to do well in school, so that's one thing.

I think I'm also like Duke a little bit, I like knowing that I'm getting something out of what I'm doing.

One other thing that keeps me going is the thought that I'm one of the few people who's brain still works properly.

When I look at most other people in my age range, they all seem to be obbsessed with sports or dressing in the latest fashion or getting the worst grades, and I just think about what their life will be like outside of High School.

This doesn't go for EVERYONE who does this, if they're smart and do this then fine, but if they act dumb and do this then that's what gets me.

[hamsterTK 93]

I kind of go for Ski's attitude the most.  Work and school is just a way to get to do things you want to do.