Is it possible to have CONSTANT motivation?

[Craig Harper]

The problem with motivation being (essentially) an emotional state (or a place we get to in our head) is that it's temporary. And when the motivation disappears (which it will because our emotions and mental state fluctuate from day to day and moment to moment), then so do the new-found (desirable) behaviours.

In other words, we lose momentum.

We stop doing what we need to do to create the outcomes (realities) we so desperately desire.

For others, motivation is simply a reason to (have to) do something.

"I've gotta work 'cause I have five kids.... I'm not particularly excited about that... don't love it... just needs to be done."

"I exercise three times a week because I don't want to die from a heart attack like my father did."

The truth is that most of us alternate between can't-be-bothered, kinda-motivated and totally-in-the-zone... for much of our lives. Many of us step in and out of 'motivation' on a daily (if not, hourly) basis.

"I can't be bothered today" is a line I've heard thousands of times in my job.

"Do it anyway" I say.

"But I'm not motivated!"

"So do it... despite your lack of motivation."

"Perhaps in the doing... you'll get motivated!"

"It's not normal... but it is possible."

And the amazing thing about doing 'stuff', the stuff we know we should do (even when we're not 'motivated to do it') is that once it's done, we're SO glad we did it (and we usually discover we actually are legitimately motivated after we've done it)... and then we also discover we've developed some new getting-crap-done-even-when-we-don't-feel-like-it skills!

[KendallJ]

The truth is that most of us alternate between can't-be-bothered, kinda-motivated and totally-in-the-zone...

Hey, speak for yourself!

[Benpercent]

I'm definitely bookmarking this topic. I think a little bit after Christmas (next day after probably) I'll add sit-ups and push-ups to my walking routine (which could be updated to a jogging routine). I've noticed I got the love for what I want to do, but not the motivation.

[Robert J. Kolker]

It’s not a feeling I’m after (the feeling of “let’s do it!”). It’s the willingness, the willingness to fight against all pain and laziness to do something 100% that never ends until death – is this even possible?

I will bet you can't do that when you are sleeping. And what if you get sick and are running a 104 degree fever.

Bob Kolker

[Ifat Glassman]

I think it is possible to be in a constant state of motivation if you are always following your will, but if you force yourself to perform work for the sake of duty, you will ultimately burn out and need to recharge your batteries.

Thanks Ann! Your post is very inspiring, and I agree with what you wrote.

It's always fun to see others who have the courage to do what they enjoy as a living.

It’s not a feeling I’m after (the feeling of “let’s do it!”). It’s the willingness, the willingness to fight against all pain and laziness to do something 100% that never ends until death – is this even possible?

I think this is a very bad approach. Why do you want to fight despite suffering, instead of enjoying a process of creation?

When you declair internal war against yourself - it never ends well. Instead of fighting laziness, you should understand where it's coming from. Your psychology is not to be battled with - it's to be understood and corrected through logic.

[Robert J. Kolker]

It’s not a feeling I’m after (the feeling of “let’s do it!”). It’s the willingness, the willingness to fight against all pain and laziness to do something 100% that never ends until death – is this even possible?

Do you believe you have a duty to flourish or accomplish? What about people who are happy and content to exert the least amount of effort required to earn their keep? Are they deficient. Are they wrong? Or are they differently motivated than you?

Is there anything wrong with breathing the fresh air, smelling the flowers and feeling the warmth of the sun on one's face? I am not talking about shiftless folk here, I am talking about people whose main business is their leisure. Is there anything wrong with that?

Bob Kolker

[~Sophia~]

What about people who are happy and content to exert the least amount of effort required to earn their keep? Are they deficient. Are they wrong?

Is there anything wrong with breathing the fresh air, smelling the flowers and feeling the warmth of the sun on one's face?

If that is the only thing one does in life - yes. Such people maybe alive but not really living.

A man without a purpose in life does not know what his values are and thus is at the mercy of any chance stimulus (external or whim).

"The man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder—a waif, a nothing, a no man." —Thomas Carlyle

[Craig Harper]

The problem with motivation being (essentially) an emotional state (or a place we get to in our head) is that it's temporary. And when the motivation disappears (which it will because our emotions and mental state fluctuate from day to day and moment to moment), then so do the new-found (desirable) behaviours.

In other words, we lose momentum.

We stop doing what we need to do to create the outcomes (realities) we so desperately desire.

For others, motivation is simply a reason to (have to) do something.

"I've gotta work 'cause I have five kids.... I'm not particularly excited about that... don't love it... just needs to be done."

"I exercise three times a week because I don't want to die from a heart attack like my father did."

The truth is that most of us alternate between can't-be-bothered, kinda-motivated and totally-in-the-zone... for much of our lives. Many of us step in and out of 'motivation' on a daily (if not, hourly) basis.

If we only do the things we need to do (to create our desired outcomes and achieve our goals) when we feel like it... then we'll never achieve much because we'll be perpetually starting and stopping.

After all, nobody feels motivated (excited, pumped, positive, focused, in-the-zone) permanently.