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Ask HN: How do you develop internal motivation?

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Re: Ask HN: How do you develop internal motivation?

#21

Post by christiansakai »

Are you even interested in the PhD or in the subject itself? I think if not, then no internal motivation works.

I tend to think of myself as a really internally motivated person, as I have a various hobbies that I cultivate that requires disciplines in muscular and mental side. But I am interested in all of those hobbies, and I never dread the moment where I have to train, practice, or study related to those subjects.

No end goal in sight for me, it is purely for internal enjoyment. Maybe one day create a youtube/instagram channel for fun and showoff but that's about it.

Re: Ask HN: How do you develop internal motivation?

#22

Post by calebkaiser »

I've felt similar to you for a long time, but have recently (over the last year) had a fundamental shift. I'm loathe to ever recommend self-help books (I used to work in publishing, and I know how most of those books get written. Hint: Not by the author, and not based on real research.), but I'd really recommend picking up Atomic Habits.

The big aha moment for me was in the separation of systems and goals. I always struggled with the same kind of procrastination as you--if there was a pressing need, I'd rise to the occasion, but otherwise was content with the minimum--despite having large ambitions (am also strongly considering a PhD, weirdly enough). The book does a nice job of explaining goals as things that are distant, and so can really never be "pressing" or rewarding short term, whereas systems can have a pulling effect i.e. I don't have one singular side project with a schedule that I'm constantly failing to hit, I have a system in which I write code for fun for at least an hour each morning, during which time I let myself listen to new music and try random ideas while I have coffee.

I might not hit peak productivity, but I do it everyday because I enjoy it. I look forward to it when I wake up. The system pulls me in, and as a result, I'm actually way more productive overall.

Re: Ask HN: How do you develop internal motivation?

#24

Post by catchmeifyoucan »

I don’t think you’re not motivated. For example, I feel the same when cooking. In fact, one of your motivators might be that you need to do things for others or else that task has no meaning.

I took an exam called career leader a while ago. Like one of those professional strengths, exams. It provided a good framework to think about this.

A few motivators the exam ranks you on are things like “prestige”, “altruism”, “autonomy”, “recognition”, “lifestyle”, “security” ..etc. you then get your results with which of those attributes you score highest on. Ultimately,I think it comes down to what you value more. You should then really question how what you do aligns with those motivators and optimize for the tasks that put your motivators ahead.

Here’s a sample report that has them all listed, and framed it better for me: https://www.hec.ca/etudiants/soutien-ressources/gestion-carr...

Re: Ask HN: How do you develop internal motivation?

#26

Post by z5h »

I have thoughts/daydreams/impulses that I used to dismiss as frivolous or unimportant. E.g. I love to research and read up on new synthesizers. I’m a bit obsessed. When I’m in a good coffee shop or am baking, I often daydream about having my own coffee shop. Now, this is not to say I should open a coffee shop and drop 10k on new synth gear. BUT... it’s worth investigating why these impulses occur. (Do I want to create? Make customers happy? ...) If I can tap into urges that occur spontaneously, then I can reframe and leverage those to motivate myself.

Re: Ask HN: How do you develop internal motivation?

#27

Post by medialucky20 »

gbasin wrote: post #3

You cannot develop internal motivation. In my experience, when you have some vision that you are excited about, motivation is not a problem. That vision can take many forms, but it's often some concrete outcome that you understand how to accomplish, and desire to achieve (for whatever reason).

I completely agree on vision point. every indivisual need to have clear vision on what you want to be in coming 1 month/year or couple of years. Good to have both short term and long term goals. achieving shortterm goals motivate for longterm goals. I give more importance to personal than professional.

I feel motivated when I look at my goals. Definitely I do sometimes feel down start thinking it is impossible to achieve. For such days I prepared list of things I achieved so far and I am grateful for. It can be as simple as the day I got independent and started earning, Bought new jewellery to my mom etc. These days are very special and bring lot of joy and inspiration to perform better and work toward my future goals.

Also never compare my journey with other people. everyone's journey is different. Having few common things doesn't mean you both are same with same level of capacities. each person's tolerance, will power, IQ different. This understanding made me to not get demotivated by looking at some peer achievements.

Re: Ask HN: How do you develop internal motivation?

#29

Post by tuckerconnelly »

Well, my therapist might ask, “what is this procrastination doing for you?” How do you feel when I say, well, just do it. Angry? Sad? Why? You might notice you’re getting back at your parents for something. Totally reaching here, but the Oedipal tendency, obv in figurative sense, is strong in mothers. Maybe your mom is afraid you’ll be too successful and is unconsciously threatening to take away her love when you get excited about a project. Idk man just spitballing here.
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