Ask HN: How do you develop internal motivation?
71–80 of 80 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do you develop internal motivation?
#72I find that internal motivation is mostly a myth, that is, the part where people expect to just have infinite drive out of nowhere. The cooking analogy is good but here's an IMO better one - would you make a movie if you knew for certain nobody would ever watch it? I wouldn't. You want to get a PhD - why? Is the PhD a mountain to climb or is it a pair of boots that will let you scale a mountain? Both answers are legi…
Internal motivation feels a little like fascination. I do a lot of things that nobody will notice, that give me nothing, because there's an element of experimentation to it. To use the cooking analogy, it's like trying to replace butter in a recipe with margarine, making a french omelet as soft as possible, or pulling a perfect espresso. I wouldn't say these things are enjoyable in themselves, but they scratch a curi…
Having an defined approach or steps to follow is a thing that actually demotivates me. I think it's why I don't cook a lot even though I can. I could follow defined steps and get an expected outcome but I'm just not motivated to do that.
I got disinterested in chess when knowing that all the best players have most moves memorized.
Re: Ask HN: How do you develop internal motivation?
#73I find that internal motivation is mostly a myth, that is, the part where people expect to just have infinite drive out of nowhere. The cooking analogy is good but here's an IMO better one - would you make a movie if you knew for certain nobody would ever watch it? I wouldn't. You want to get a PhD - why? Is the PhD a mountain to climb or is it a pair of boots that will let you scale a mountain? Both answers are legi…
I think that many artists serve as a counterexample to this sentiment. Many of them, even ones who eventually become famous, pursue activities without a care of who pays attention and without an end goal. They simply explore and seek out expression, where it almost seems to coming pouring out of them by necessity, obsession, or some combination thereof.
Some artists are so prolific, it can be mind boggling. Artists are not given enough credit for their work ethic.
There are plenty of artists who would make something, e.g., a movie , even knowing someone wouldn't see it.
Re: Ask HN: How do you develop internal motivation?
#74I find that internal motivation is mostly a myth, that is, the part where people expect to just have infinite drive out of nowhere. The cooking analogy is good but here's an IMO better one - would you make a movie if you knew for certain nobody would ever watch it? I wouldn't. You want to get a PhD - why? Is the PhD a mountain to climb or is it a pair of boots that will let you scale a mountain? Both answers are legi…
I think that many artists serve as a counterexample to this sentiment. Many of them, even ones who eventually become famous, pursue activities without a care of who pays attention and without an end goal. They simply explore and seek out expression, where it almost seems to coming pouring out of them by necessity, obsession, or some combination thereof. Some artists are so prolific, it can be mind boggling. Artists a…
There are some artists like that, sure, but plenty? I doubt it...
Re: Ask HN: How do you develop internal motivation?
#75I'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 s…
>> Hint: Not by the author, and not based on real research.
I would like to hear more on this. :-)
Re: Ask HN: How do you develop internal motivation?
#76I believe maybe you could be missing a "traumatic" life experience. I know a guy who spent 2 years in a call center without finishing high school. Today he works as a full stack developer and even complete uni. He says when he feels lazy, he remembers his life in the call center and the motivation suddenly appears. I have something similar since I work with my Dad doing deliveries and we had to wake up at 4:30 am. Wh…
It's the other way round for some. Bad experiences can kill motivation.
Re: Ask HN: How do you develop internal motivation?
#77I've been thinking a lot about this Nietzsche quote lately:
> You great star, what would your happiness be had you not those for whom you shine?
This has made me question not a lack of internal motivation, but an abundance of external motivation. i.e. examining what ways I am motivated by how others will perceive me.
I am trying to appreciate the "eating straight from the packet" state of mind.
Re: Ask HN: How do you develop internal motivation?
#78Get tested for Vit D3 and sleep well and sleep early.
Re: Ask HN: How do you develop internal motivation?
#79I track my numbers. Tracking, maintaining and improving any number gives me tremendous motivation. (This works for me but it may not work for you!)
Re: Ask HN: How do you develop internal motivation?
#80Do something that actually matters. Making a real difference is motivating.