Thoughtful Thursday // What Motivates You?

That's quite the question! What motivates me to do... what? Run a business? Get out of bed in the morning? Bake way too many goodies? I guess I just need to decide what vein I'm going to take this and get on with it.

I learned a long time ago that I'm motivated by outer accountability. I'm very bad at doing things for myself, or just because I want to, though I am getting better. But if someone else needs me to do something, or if the thing affects others, I'm going to get it done. In some cases, putting an item on my planner/to-do list is motivation enough. Other times... well, things can get moved from day to day and week to week :)

On a bigger, life level, I am motivated by faith, family, and truth. I wrote a blog post on this a while back, but to summarize, I want to serve God, love my family (and others in my life), and pursue the truth. The business I chose, how I run it, and the things I say yes or no to are all fueled by these things. The trick for me is to not let people-pleasing creep in and become a motivating factor.

Sometimes I do things just for fun. I bake because I enjoy it. Other times I do things because I know I should (like eat steamed broccoli and exercise). Still other times I do things because I need them. Like my breaks from social media. They are necessary for my creativity and mental health. I don't think there is one "right" reason to be motivated.

I have to admit that motivation has been hard to come buy a lot lately. I'm not the girl with grand plans for my life and my future, but sometimes it seems like not having those plans or goals can make it hard to push through when there are obstacles because I don't have something I'm reaching for. I'm not a visionary-type person so I need to reach back for my motivation, rather than looking ahead. It's an interesting switch because I don't think many people talk like that.

Is this just me or can you relate? Are you self-motivated or do you need outer accountability? What kinds of things motivate you, big or small?