How do you motivate yourself when you don't feel like working?

[Connonym]

Other than the lingering fear of unemployment, I'm having a hard time coming up with motivation to actually WORK today. The webs are much, much more interesting and perhaps I have a subconscious desire to get fired. How do you motivate yourself when you can't get started?

[crim son]

1. The thought of reward.

As in, if I do an hour of studying I can do ten minutes of DU. In college I ate one M&M for every two pages of boring text I read.

[spinbaby]

2. I read DU

Although that doesn't get anything done.

Well, I'd better go get to this stuff I have to put up on a Web site.

[azmouse]

3. I'll do work for one hour

and then give myself a little reward... like a piece of chocolate or cup of coffee or maybe time on the internet.

That way at least something gets done.
This time of year it's really tough to find motivation. Just do your best to look busy when the boss is around. :hi:

[Connonym]

4. 99.9% of the problem is that I telecommute

so they can't actively see me goofing off they just see the shitty productivity that results

[tigereye]

6. I'm in the same boat, since I mostly work at home

it's the deadlines that are truly motivating. I need to get stuff done by a certain date. Otherwise, people are very unhappy.


then I reward myself with a DU break.

[ganeshji]

5. I don't even try anymore

If you're going to have the guilt then why not the pleasure? I always feel guilty when I have no motivation so I just give in to it. What can I say? I'm weak.

[PVnRT]

7. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

n/t

[soleft]

8. make a game out of it -

set up small tasks, use an egg timer, sing we are the Champions, use colored highlighters on everything, give yourself a reward for each completed task.

[Connonym]

9. Do I have to sing "We Will Rock You" first?

:headbang: :P

[eyesroll]

10. Heh... a year and a half ago, I had zero motivation to work. So I decided to apply to law school.

I also realized it wouldn't look good on my applications -- school or job -- if I got fired from my job immediately prior to going to law school. So I made sure I left on a decently performing note.

[Connonym]

11. Are you done with finals?

If you have time, would you mind if I PM you a couple questions about financial aid for nontraditional students?

[eyesroll]

12. Two down, one to go, but feel free to PM me.

Torts isn't until Tuesday and I won't be studying nonstop.

[Jimbo S]

13. Building up your resume

Get stuff accomplished at work to boast about at the next job interview.

But then, here I am at DU instead of working.