When you have to do something unpleasant, what motivates you?

Don’t think about it. Just do it.

I procrastinate until the last minute then just jump into action. Not always, sometimes I follow through with my own task list but I am very good at putting things off then getting them done in one burst of turbo motivation. I was that kid in school that wrote their report 25 minutes before bed the night before it was due and always got a good grade. Haha
I also prioritize and ask myself if something has to be done or would it just be nice if it was done. Scooping the litter box has to be done, washing my car can wait.

Mrs Squeeky, I don’t want her yelling at me to get it done.

The only motivation I need is that it must be done. Whatever reason the “must” stands for is enough.

Nothing. It’s just that push comes to shove and there is no more space for ignoring it.

When something has to be done, I find it is sometimes better to do it and get it out of the way, if it is something I don’t like. That way, I end my day on a good note…doing the things I like. I’m also the same way with food…I eat the things I like the least first so that I can end a meal with a taste I love in my mouth.

One, a sense of responsibility to myself and my mate or friends to do the thing I’m telling myself I should be doing, and/or two, unease about a possibly unpleasant consequence of_not_ doing that thing.

I just remind myself why I’m going it. “If your laundry is done and put away, you can probably sleep in tomorrow, because it won’t take as long to get dressed.”
“Go to work and you can eventually afford to get something all wheel drive!”

I try to be bluntly proactive with myself.

Let’s say that I am planning to pressure-wash the driveway tomorrow. In the morning I’ll wake up and say, “OK, listen, chump. You know and I know that at some point you’re going to try to talk yourself out of the pressure-washing thing, then just go read all of the latest posts on Fluther, drink nine coffees, then sit on your ass and watch a bunch of Andy Griffith reruns. Well, guess what, you lazy nitwit….I ain’t havin’ it !!! ”

“And don’t bullshit me here, because I’m you, and you’re me.”

The job always gets done, and the driveway could win some sort of prize.

THEN I go see what the hell you people are up to….

@PullMyFinger I think you may have just won “Best Answer of the Year” award, just for the part about watching the Andy Griffith re-runs : )

@Kardamom As you may know, all seasons and episodes are a few clicks away on Netflix. I love it when someone like Jack Nicholson suddenly shows up in some small bit part. Also when little Opie wants to discuss something, and Andy sits down next to him in the living room, lights up a cigarette, blows a big cloud of smoke and says…..

“Pfffft….OK, what’s the problem, Ope….??....”

Sex… According to Sigmund Freud.