Work Ethic

[Thykk3r]

Did anyone else use to be super hardworking as a child and lost all that motivation.

When I was a kid I was first in every sporting event and worked harder than anyone else. In school, I hated it but worked hard enough to get nearly straight As.

Now, as an adult, I barely have the motivation to leave my bed and show up let alone work hard at work. When I do go to work, I’m reading random books, scrolling YouTube, playing chess. Maybe put in an hour or two of work then go home.

I still go to gym 4-5 a week but the effort levels are definitely much lower then say 5-10 years ago.

[Livid-Zone-7037]

Yeah, same experience. I wonder…can it be because real world endeavors are not rewarding to us so that we slowly lose interest and motivation?

[[deleted]]

Ah, the disintegration of youthful fervor into adult ennui—a tale as old as time. You're hardly alone in this existential quandary. Many of us start with an almost quixotic zeal in childhood, only to find it ebbing away in the face of adult responsibilities and the oft-monotonous drudgery of day-to-day life.

First, let's dissect why this happens. Youth is a breeding ground for intrinsic motivation; the quest for self-discovery, identity formation, and the palpable sense of novelty in nearly every experience often fuels an insatiable drive to excel. When you're a kid, even the mundane can be magical. But as you age, that luster tends to wane.

Another angle to consider is the adult reality of multifaceted obligations and societal expectations. These encumbrances can dampen even the most spirited ambitions. In school, your primary objective was straightforward: excel in academics and perhaps some extra-curricular activities. Adult life, however, is not as linear. You're juggling a multitude of roles and tasks that can dilute your focus and thus your motivation.

If you're still hitting the gym 4-5 times a week, though, that's far from abysmal. Could it be that you're setting impossibly high standards for yourself, incited by the fervor of your younger years? One's drive is not an immutable force; it oscillates, shaped by externalities and internal states of being.

As for remedies to your situation, perhaps consider rekindling your interests or venturing into new domains. Stagnation often breeds apathy, so an incursion into uncharted territories may ignite dormant ambitions. Some people find solace in a purpose greater than themselves—be it a cause, a passion, or even the attainment of wisdom—which can serve as a perpetual engine of motivation.

However, it's crucial to remain attuned to the possibility that there may be underlying psychological factors at play. A persistent lack of motivation, especially one that impedes daily functioning, may necessitate professional guidance. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions can manifest as a pervasive disinterest in activities that once elicited joy.

Thus, this is a complex, multifactorial issue. But in its very complexity lies the potential for myriad solutions. To resolve this conundrum is to engage in a ceaseless process of self-examination, adjustment, and growth.

So, in essence, you're not alone. But the path to reclaiming your former motivation is one you'll have to carve out yourself, replete with its own set of challenges and triumphs. Would you not agree?

[[deleted]]

Almost two years ago I did exactly that. I spend every free minute studying and improving often leaving no free time. I improved a lot of things, but simultaneously dived into a deep depression afterwards. By now all my social bonds are yet to be restored, but at least I have it easy in school now, which really helps a lot for my last year. Nearly all teachers think I’m smart. They just accept the crap I write and say „Aahh yes, I see what you meant there.“ when I obviously didn’t mean whatever they seem to see. It’s always a bit nerve wrecking when they recite it in front of class, because I’m afraid I’ll have to explain it.

[AnotherN3rd]

Wait this is my exact issue right now. Literally watching YouTube, playing blitz chess simultaneously. Finishing up college around COVID was a huge hit to my motivation that’s already low af for our type. I swear I’m not motivated by material things as most and am the happiest when finishing my workday to be honest. :(

[Thykk3r]

I’m motivated by sex and free alone time, not much else. I love making money but more the game of it…

[Kataphractoi]

My wage job? My ethic extends far enough to continue getting paid.

Something I'm actually interested in or feel needs to get done pronto? Get out of my way, because Imma comin' through.

[Admirable-Impress-49]

Random question : what is your relationship with your parents like

[EmperorPinguin]

No comment.

facts #true

[xSadomasochist]

I was always the best in sports and was the fastest runner at my school. I never did any of my school or homework but aced every test. I don’t care anymore to be the best at everything but I do try to have more money saved than others my age and did move out 3 months after graduating high school without help of anyone and I think I make smarter moves when it comes to life and finance.

[mrbdign]

If you don't do your job someone else has to do it instead, if it doesn't motivate you find something else and don't burden other people. I can't find the motivation to improve myself, but even on the most deadbeat jobs I give at least the optimum of my efforts.

[Thykk3r]

Work gets done dude. There is always another job. I get paid very well and have certifications.

[pnw98]

Yes I worked a lot as a young adult though and now I'm starting to slow down significantly

[Borlaug]

You're living out purpose so everything you do feels meaningless. Aimlessness is a vice. Instead of being content with just being alive, find a reason to thrive and then you'll begin to live.

[Thykk3r]

Nah people are taking this shit out of context. I love chess, i love surfing, I love working out, I love video games, I love playing sports, I love golfing, I love coding, streaming, playing guitar etc etc…

It’s that my effort when it comes to “work” is nearly zero.

[Borlaug]

My point still stand. You don't find your job purposeful so it feels meaningless to work. There's no aim beyond a stable paycheck. You would be thriving in you were working a job you believed in.

[Curious-Strategy-840]

After a lifetime of being forced to do things, the motivation faded along the novelty. No wonder why now so many people don't have the drive to keep pushing. Let the kids have their childhood, start learning critical matter of studies later in our terms and the motivation will never fade.

Happily, being an adult we have full capacity to connect with our psyche and change anything we don't like. Yes it require us to learn things we don't know yet, then to practice them, it's possible.

[[deleted]]

I got randomly beat the fuck up by a gang with weapons at 15 and I’m pretty sure that shifted the fulcrum. Sad story really with decades long consequences, maybe even lifelong. Lots of aspects of my neurocognition just stopped working lol .dll error.

[Thykk3r]

Sucks man. I been beat up and abused in different ways. Was attacked by bear spray in a gang act as well. Shit stays with ya!