What Keeps You Motivated?

Hard question, right? Believe it or not, this golden question’s running in my mind lately.

What keeps you motivated? What drives you to do things and keep you going?

Or simply put, like what that coffee commercial would constantly ask us—Para kanino ka bumabangon?

Well, it’s not a question of who, but also of what or why. I am quite curious on what makes people do what they do and how they stay long in doing what they are doing.

Let me put it into my perspective. There are days when I wake up and just choose to lie down in my bed for a couple of minutes more because nothing is motivating me to get up and actually start my day. Not because I don’t like my job. Not because I don’t like who I was going to see that day.

It’s just… I don’t want to move. I was, admittedly, lazy to start my day.

And for reasons unknown, I suddenly feel demotivated to go to work, to do my job, and to see other people. Plainly, that’s what it is.

I know some people would relate to it or maybe some would have valid reasons why they lack the motivation keep going. (I don’t want to go deep into this and tackle sensitive issues, but you know what I mean. I’m going to stop there.)

BUT. Let’s talk about how you counter that dilemma. That’s what I’m writing this post for, anyway.

So, what motivates you? May I list down some of the things that do for me:

1. Go back to Day 1

Think about it. You have to remind yourself why you are doing this thing at the first place. Why did you get the job? Why did you take the project? Why did you choose this over that?

There must be this certain reason that weighs heavier over the other option you had before. Regrets may come after, but if you think that certain reason is enough for you to move forward, then move.

If not, then stop. Reset and go back to Day 1.

2. It is about the money, money, money

Oh, honey, that’s the universal truth. You work to get paid. It’s silly, I know.

While I don’t suggest you getting your head wrapped into it and focusing on this one motivation, you also have to remind yourself that by every 15th or 30th of the month, your payroll account grows a bit bigger because of all the hardwork you did. Good job, you are richer than yesterday.

I saw this one funny Facebook meme that says, “Mag-trabaho ka na. Hindi ka mayaman.” which is enough motivation for me. We all have to pay the bills, siz.

3. People are here to cheer

It may not seem like it, but there are people who are there supporting you all the way. These are your constants, your cheerleaders, your family and friends who believe in you. They are proud of you. You don’t want to let them down, do you?

When all seems lost and misplaced, these people who believe in you are those who are also willing to help. If you have bumps along the way that stops you from moving forward, they will help you push through wherever you are going.

4. Look forward to great things

One thing I like doing is to count days to the next best thing that’s going to happen. I anticipate. I look forward to my next trip, or my next dinner with friends, or the next payday (see No. 2).

When you look forward to the next exciting thing that’s going to happen to you, you breeze through the days that you thought were the worst days. Then, when the good thing comes, you pat yourself on the back and say, I deserve this.

Deserve na deserve ko ito.

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I know I might have missed a couple more things but I only listed down four to keep it short and concise. But I would love to hear how other people keep themselves motivated because I am genuinely curious.

Also, knowing what motivates you and what keeps you motivated may be two different things. But this list will, again, serve as a reminder for me whenever I’m down and demotivated.

By the way, what motivates me to write these stuff is that people actually read my blog. (Wow, weird flex but ok.) I am so grateful for the positive feedback I got recently and this has pushed me to share more of my thoughts to people.

That is why when an idea comes off the top of my head, I grab my laptop pronto and I start typing even if it’s the middle of the night. (And maybe because I have a memory of a goldfish that I easily forget what I was thinking. Haha.)

But really, I just enjoy pouring my heart out to this passion project of mine. No pressure, as you may have noticed the long gaps in between.

So, enough about that. To wrap this thing up, may I ask you—

What keeps you motivated?

#words #motivation #work #random #thoughts #improvement #selfhelp #writenow