What really inspires your drive and self-motivation today, this week, or this year 2016?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, great discussion, brother! There are some truly inspiring responses posted here. Mine may be a little unique, but I am certain that there will be some redundancy.

My number one driver is the fear of failure. No one wants to be a loser, and I am no exception. Failing to please God would be to my detriment...not His...so I take that very seriously. I am far from perfect, however, so I take time daily to be thankful for the things that I have done right - and to ask forgiveness for the things that I have done wrong. It doesn't remove my struggles, but I don't feel as bad after a good conversation with the Lord.

I don't think anything makes me excited daily. However, helping people gives me an immense amount of satisfaction, so I would count selflessness as an inspiration.

My inspiring goal for 2016 is a closer walk with the Lord, be it a little or a lot. Progress is progress, and realistically speaking, I don't know what my future holds, so it is good to know Who does.

Individuals that inspire me are my family - I would be remiss to fail them, so that's definitely a fire under my "Fourth Point of Contact!!"

Excellent questions COL Mikel J. Burroughs! I am a rather simple fella, as such there is nothing complex about my motivations each day, week, or year. My family above all else motivates me to work hard and be the best person that I can be. I consider myself very blessed to have the support structure that I have, they have stood by me throughout all of the good and tough times in my life. If my kids are proud of what I accomplish, and strive to be successful because of the example I have set....I have achieved great things.

My job is also very inspiring to me, I could not have picked a better profession. Each day I get the privilege of training and mentoring junior aviators. I consider my job more of a calling, and take the charge of contributing to the future of Army aviation very serious. In addition, I get to fly the badest helicopter on the planet and in very demanding missions and environments.....what is not to like!

To be better than I was yesterday. Self improvement is important to me and if I'm 1% better today then I have a goal for tomorrow too.

What inspires me lately is my daughter is moving back home to finish out the rest of her college. With PCS assignments and kids going all different directions, finally my family will all be back together.

My family keeps me going. But now it is time for me. My goal for the year is to retire. Should happen about July.

My motivation stems from two aspects: One, what I endured as a child and two, being raised by a single Mother.

I went through a lot as a child, most of which I will not share on this site however, being told that I "couldn't" or "wouldn't" succeed in certain aspects made me strive to achieve what I want most out of my life. Enlisting in the Military immediately after High School and turning 18 in Basic Training taught me most of what I learned today. Also, my Mother being my support system and raising her four kids (including myself) on her own has taught me that even if you don't believe you have done right, look at where you are now and what you have been through. All you can do is learn from your mistakes and the lessons each taught you.

If I want to change something about myself, for example, the Army's regulations on weight standards are ridiculous, I do it. They consider me to be overweight and yet, I am in a great physical condition. I basically have to pep talk myself each day to go to the gym and when I am at the gym, motivate myself to do more than the week prior. Regardless of it being a higher repetition or a heavier weight. I believe that everyone has the mentality to strive for excellence and achieve each goal they set out for. The initial push is the hardest but once we get into the stride of things, we can accomplish great things.

Such a true statement. I know that even fear holds me back at times. But eventually I push forward and take on what ever it is that I'm seeking and hope for the best.

work, self improvement, quality of life so that i can do what i want and enjoy it later, eventually i will retire from civi world, and would like to enjoy it, and waking up every day on this side of the ground and not under it

I get a lot of my motivation from my little girls. Seeing their smiles is one of the best gifts in life.

Well in regards to goals, I just purchased my first home a couple months ago. I was originally planning on purchasing a 2nd vehicle, but I needed a roof over my head more.

Living life not enduring it!