Do you believe motivation is real?

2016-04-23T18:17:24-04:00

I ran across a statement that challenged the concept of motivation. With simple habits such as watching TV or going out drinking every weekend, how does one stay "motivated" for these tasks? Is "motivation" simply habit or passion? I've watched countless motivational videos and while I am "motivated" during the video, I still go back to my same old ways. What do you do if you lack "motivation"?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2016 6:34 PM

2016-04-23T18:34:18-04:00

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member Motivation is real. You were motivated to finish school, join the Navy, etc. Set realistic 30 day goals that you can achieve and then go do them. Do something for 30 days and you will be hooked. If you want to effect change bad enough, you will do it. It helps to be passionate about something that helps create the motivation to get off the couch and achieve your goals.

Response by SSG Jeremy Kohlwes made Apr 23 at 2016 6:37 PM

2016-04-23T18:37:27-04:00

Motivation is a habit that you have to develop. I would consider it strongly linked to one's energy levels. If you feel like you have lots of energy then you are usually motivated to go do something. Unfortunately many people don't maintain those levels. (I'm guilty of that myself right now). Sometimes you just have to really push yourself a little at a time, and as you start getting back into the habit of being motivated then it will become much easier to maintain.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Apr 23 at 2016 6:40 PM

2016-04-23T18:40:19-04:00

Yes I do! Without motivation there is no drive. Without drive there is no success. Without success, you are just existing.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Apr 23 at 2016 7:05 PM

2016-04-23T19:05:18-04:00

Motivation comes from within.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 23 at 2016 8:19 PM

2016-04-23T20:19:19-04:00

Sometimes motivation emanates from the discipline to do the right thing, to help and protect others, to teach soldiers the technical and tactical aspects of their vocation, knowing your right and left are counting on you, to know your soldiers are counting on you, to do your very best at what you do, to teach them to never quit.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 24 at 2016 7:05 AM

2016-04-24T07:05:06-04:00

What, who or when you choose to be influenced to act, respond or produce is all up to you. Everyone has different things that motivate them.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 24 at 2016 7:57 AM

2016-04-24T07:57:29-04:00

Motivation is real, it can be self; leader imposed; or initiated by a team or group. One thing is for certain; it is infectious where good leadership exists and without it the Military, sports, group activity of any sort nor scientific advancement would be possible.

Response by Cpl Jon Westbrook made Apr 25 at 2016 1:35 PM

2016-04-25T13:35:31-04:00

I heard a saying once that explained the difference between motivation and dedication. A motivated man works until he no longer feels motivated, then goes back to whatever he was doing before. Where as a dedicated man sets a goal, and works every day consistently until his goal is accomplished, then he sets a new goal and continues on.

There is no such thing as motivation. There is only a temporary feeling of euphoria or excitement that diminishes with time. The mark of true passion is when you keep coming back day after day, and no matter how hard things get you still want to be there doing whatever it is that you are doing. The only motivation I've ever seen is false motivation, which is basically guys trying to make things that suck seem fun. Its a psychological trick to get you excited about something, like a speech before a big battle in the movies.

But at the end of the day, you don't do your job because you're motivated. You do it because you are a professional and you are paid to do it, or because you care about the man next to you. As the old saying goes, if it was supposed to be fun they wouldn't pay you for it.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Apr 26 at 2016 1:24 AM

2016-04-26T01:24:24-04:00

I see motivation as a passion. You either want something or you don't. Even the best habits break if you don't want it enough.

For me, motivation made a lot of impossibles seem possible. The biggest thing I did when I came to doubting myself was to tell myself that I'm a Marine and this is what Marines do.

I've been accused of false motivation some times because most people just fake the funk. But I always brought my A game out because I wanted my motivation to motivate others.

Response by PO2 Christina Hutson made Apr 26 at 2016 10:08 AM

2016-04-26T10:08:07-04:00

Yes due to some expect it to be a given and not be earn for the reward of doing some good for your parents teachers caregivers etc. You got to work toward something you want to earn it that's my belief not just getting it handed to you or taking what not your to have society is just different from when I grew up.

Response by CPO Michael Callegri made May 10 at 2016 3:28 PM

2016-05-10T15:28:52-04:00

The thing I have learned about motivation, which I learned during my time in the Navy and that I used today, is that, not everyone is motivated by the same stimuli. Watching those motivational videos have been fine, they just haven't tapped into what really motivates you. Some people are motivated by being rewarded, while that means nothing to others. Some are motivated by fear, others have no worries about that. Some are motivated just by doing a good job and knowing within themselves that they did a good job. If you keep working at it, you will find out what actually motivates you or maybe someone you are working for maybe able to tap into that. You will know it when you see it. Motivation is real and it works.

Response by SSG Stephan Pendarvis made Jan 5 at 2017 9:17 AM

2017-01-05T09:17:11-05:00

whew...now this is something to think about. I would say that motivation is closely wrapped up with feelings. Motivational videos, Rocky movies, and all that music has a way of making us feel like we can take on the world. I call it false motivation. I remember my first 10 years in the Army I hated PT because it was to me "A Job" or something Top made me do. My later 10 years I started to think differently about PT. I started thinking, "Why do it for the Army? Why not do it for myself???" When I started thinking like this it started to be fun! So for me I do not need videos or music because I do it for me...because I want to. Do I listen to music during working out? Sometimes...but I rather honestly listen to my own grunts and heartbeat and feel the workout without distraction. As for other things...the same applies. I think in todays society we get bored very easily...which is why we go back to the "same old ways". And like you said about habit or passion...we have to stay with something for a while for that habit or passion sets in. Also having a purpose for why we are doing whatever we are doing is a tremendous help. And keeping our eyes on that goal unswervingly is a must. If I sound like a motivational article...my most sincere apologies....lol!!!!