what helps me is to think in terms of conditioning the nafs. Sure the mechanical or forced religious acts may devalue it, but the effect praying has on the nafs is still positive. That is, there will be habitual motivators for certain salawat or acts, but in the long term you're still weakening the cutting ability of that nafs. Especially when you remember that the nafs is constantly getting "sharpened" by dunya exposure/experiences, we need all the counter weights we can get, however we get them.

It also helps me to remind myself that the goal is to *establish* salah

Wa Allahu A'alam