What motivates you in life?

[zorbonaut]

So a lot of things motivate me for sure but one thing that I have been procrastinating on is re-establishing my desire to begin making films again. Years ago I was a regular videographer/editor in addition to my normal "paying" job. Most of these side jobs didn't pay much if anything at all (I think the most I made for one job was maybe $1500). Once MiniDV died out and I had a few more kids, I sold all of my equipment and I let it all pass me by.

That is until this year when I decided to pursue screenwriting and filmmaking in general. I bought a new DSLR, signed up for Adobe CC, bought a gopro along with other equipment and enrolled in a film/media studies degree program. Not that you need a degree to make films but rather I want to craft my skills specifically in screenwriting and learn from an active screenwriter. I've still been dragging my feet primarily because my life feels so busy between work, school and wife/kids. This summer though I reached out to a producer/director on a whim who was looking for specific shots for a short documentary. We communicated via email over a few months and he provided a shot list and I spent the better part of a day filming. His documentary short premiered at a well known event in September but I had no clue whether any of my footage made the final cut. He just released the film online and two out of my three shots made the film even though they probably only equate to 1-2 seconds of screen time.

What I realized is that being part of something bigger than me that I am actually passionate about really motivates me. I am part of a team every day at work but don't really like what I do. Being part of a team where my efforts only contributed to 1-2 seconds of a 20 minute film made me feel more motivated then the immense amount of effort I put into my normal "9-5" job.



I'm curious as to what motivates others besides the typical things such as wealth for example... Are there things that motivate you that you put off for some reason like me?

[Groot]

Good Luck with restarting your film career.

To answer your question, I enjoy making art so designing products keeps me invested in my business. The end goal, and the true motivation is that I like that I contribute to my family and no one else has to work other than me. They help me, sure, but at the end of the day I try to keep the bulk of the business on my shoulders.

[llj]

To crush my enemies, to see them driven before me, and to hear the lamentations of their women.

In all honesty, I don't know, There are many things I want to do, but not a particularly singular focus yet. I have a comic book/graphic novel that's halfway-pencilled that I have to finish. I tried my hand at writing a novel but lost interest 3 pages in--prose writing's not for me, if that weren't already obvious.

There's also social goals too. I keep meaning to try to rebuild my social life back to where it was many, MANY years ago, but then I look outside, it's cold and dark so early now, and I just want to go/stay home...

[Naiera]

Blu-rays.

And b1tches.

(I kid )

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Naiera

Blu-rays.

And b1tches.

(I kid )

Step Brothers "Boats 'N Hoes" (HD) - YouTube

[dallywhitty]

Hokey though it may sound - my fiancee. I love spending time with her and the dog and the thought of seeing her gets me through the day.

[Monterey Jack]

Watching movies and dreaming of one day finally having a girlfriend.

[Scarriere]

Good thread Zorb!
Though I don't really identify with it, I understand.

I'm fortunate to have a job that I enjoy and to work with people I like. It's not tough for me to leave for work, but it is tough to leave my wife and our dogs.

Paychecks are mostly what drive me. They make it possible for me to live comfortably and to leave home for The City where the concerts, hockey games and most importantly, some of my family is.

With me being older, late 40's, my time for chasing a dream is pretty much over. I don't have any, other than improving my standard of living, so that is fine.
With you younger people, it is much different. You're still young enough to chase your dreams. I'm not going to say what to do, I don't want that responsibility, but it should be obvious.

Try not to be a person that is sitting there wondering to him/herself in twenty years, "What if I ...?"

I wish you the best in whatever you choose.

[Naiera]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

Watching movies and dreaming of one day finally having a girlfriend.

Exactly.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Scarriere

Good thread Zorb!
Though I don't really identify with it, I understand.

I'm fortunate to have a job that I enjoy and to work with people I like. It's not tough for me to leave for work, but it is tough to leave my wife and our dogs.

Paychecks are mostly what drive me. They make it possible for me to live comfortably and to leave home for The City where the concerts, hockey games and most importantly, some of my family is.

With me being older, late 40's, my time for chasing a dream is pretty much over. I don't have any, other than improving my standard of living, so that is fine.
With you younger people, it is much different. You're still young enough to chase your dreams. I'm not going to say what to do, I don't want that responsibility, but it should be obvious.

Try not to be a person that is sitting there wondering to him/herself in twenty years, "What if I ...?"

I wish you the best in whatever you choose.

Yeah I'm 36 and I'm definitely at a crossroads. No idea what I'm going to do if I can't move up to pharmacy tech at my current job because I'm definitely not happy working in medical records at all. Doesn't pay well enough to cover the bills, never mind being able to afford anything.

[Al_The_Strange]

• Occasionally write fiction in my spare time. Not sure if it'll ever be good enough for professional publication, but I gotsta get the stories out of my head somehow
• Blu-Rays!!!! ...or film in general.
• Video games
• Music...especially rock, metal, techno, ambient electronica
• All sweet foods
• Coffee
• Taking pictures and video of my travels
• All things science fiction
• Occasional cat videos
• My crappy sketching
• Anything else that constitutes nerd life
• And...uh....ahem...porn...

[Moviefan1203]

My wife and daughters.

[zorbonaut]

Originally Posted by Scarriere

Good thread Zorb!
Though I don't really identify with it, I understand.

I'm fortunate to have a job that I enjoy and to work with people I like. It's not tough for me to leave for work, but it is tough to leave my wife and our dogs.

Paychecks are mostly what drive me. They make it possible for me to live comfortably and to leave home for The City where the concerts, hockey games and most importantly, some of my family is.

With me being older, late 40's, my time for chasing a dream is pretty much over. I don't have any, other than improving my standard of living, so that is fine.
With you younger people, it is much different. You're still young enough to chase your dreams. I'm not going to say what to do, I don't want that responsibility, but it should be obvious.

Try not to be a person that is sitting there wondering to him/herself in twenty years, "What if I ...?"

I wish you the best in whatever you choose.

I'm in my 40's as well with 4 kids and a young grandchild but thanks for calling me young . I guess I was so focused on family from a very early age that they became all that motivated me and I no longer had an identity outside of them. I forgot that there were things outside of my kids that I still hadn't fulfilled.

Not to be cheesy but I would say it's never too late to follow your dreams. It sounds like you are already following yours which is awesome !

[Icemouth]

the sweet promise of death

[HotRats]

Seeing what comes next

[timhollerbach]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

My wife and daughters.

Same here man.....my wife and two girls are the reason I do everything I do. I work my butt off so my wife doesn't have to work, I've been very fortunate in my career, and am able to do that, while still being able to provide not only what we need, but what they want in life also. To me, that's the most rewarding! =) I'm old school, the man should be the provider.....

But, I also have found a career that I'm passionate about, I love going to work, and doing what I do, that is what makes it so easy to do 70+ hours a week. And yes, I still have time to spend with my family and enjoy myself.

[West E]

Yep. My wife and kids. Its a common answer but a good one.
You want to keep bettering their lives. You want to be the best person you can be.
Can't believe my kids are so great. Can't believe i have a wife so beautiful and fun. Life is a blessing no matter what and you only live it once. I try to make the most of it.

[slm]

Not married/no kids (yet), so paying the bills and ensuring I can be independent, debt free, and take care of myself in old age/retirement motivates me. I think it's really sweet all the people that said their spouse/kids motivate them. Very noble and selfless.

[ThatOneGuy]

Originally Posted by HotRats

Seeing what comes next

Pretty much this for me.

[slm]

Originally Posted by HotRats

Seeing what comes next

Agreed. I like your response, too. You never know what's coming around the bend... (usually I'm optimistic it's going to big and good and exciting and I want to be ready for it.)