Many times, individuals who have more motivation are driven by an intense passion. Passion can come from many sources. For instance: if I am very passionate over philosophy or the sciences because I see how they help humanity, I might dedicate myself to that cause, and much of my motivation will be directed into that end.
Yeah, I agree with that. That doesn't really answer the question, though. Passionate and motivated are terms that basically describe the same thing to me. Ex. A passionate thinker is a motivated thinker. Someone having passion is said to be motivated. Being motivated is being passionate about something. Etc etc etc. That's fine and I agree with what you wrote, but my question is more about what this passion, or this drive, really is and how to produce it. For instance, let's say, you've got someone that isn't passionate about anything in particular (me), how does someone like that become passionate about something to the point where they put everything into it and produce amazing results (ex. Arnold winning 6 Mr. Olympia titles!)?
Motivation is also closely related to values or priorities.
I'd also like to help the world, become a doctor, write books, etc... I first need to change in order to meet those goals, and so, I'm wondering how I can do this. Well, after thinking, I came to the conclusion that I need to develop the motivation which is required for such an endeavor. Hence, this thread.
People are mostly motivated to do what is necessary for survival because it they do not, then there is the threat of death and sickness.
That's a very primitive way of looking at it. For instance, why would someone be motivated to become a doctor and develop a cure for cancer if there is no sudden threat? Perhaps, a loved one died from it, but there are many that have been in the same situation and decided not to pursue that goal...
People are only motivated to do things which increase their changes of reproducing, so working out at the gym probably falls under that camp.
Yes, it was that, plus, a whole bunch of things. I fell for the look, the function, the hype, etc... But it was also about being healthy and seeing how far I could take it. Also, I didn't only want to look good for the ladies, but I also wanted to look good for myself (ego thing, I suppose... But what isn't?). I also wanted to be able to lift more weight than anybody else, etc... Anyway, I'm more interested to know why and how I became so motivated (for instance, I'd spend an hour at the gym, just going crazy and pushing myself to the limit. It felt great!) and why/how did I lose it? Perhaps I became disinterested with my progress, but I don't think that my progress was the real issue. Sure, progress helps to stay motivated, but that's not all it is. For one, working out has great health benefits and it makes one feel amazing, so even if I didn't look any better or couldn't lift anymore, I'd still feel great.
However, you may lose your motivation for big muscles because it doesn’t seem or feel important enough to you.
I'm more interested in the why and how I became motivated in the first place (+how to stay motivated and/or increase the motivation, etc...). Btw, it's not about having huge muscles, it's about looking and feeling good - or better.
Physical health is important, but fluffing yourself up for a female is actually rather superficial and quite animal like.
The whole: "looking good for the ladies" was there, but at the back of my mind. However, If a lady was walking by or at the gym, I would like to give it a pump and start thrusting a little harder.
Intelligence can destroy motivation over time.
Perhaps. But what if the intelligence was the thing that got you into it? Perhaps that's what got you motivated. So, the question remains.
Btw, Passion can come from very immature emotional places. For instance suppose you can play a sport better than me, and you rub it in my face on a consistent basis. Well, if I have a lot of ego, and I allow other people to affect my self-esteem with worldly achievements, then I may react with a lot of ego and emotion, vowing to outdo the other person. So my motivation is driven by passion, but it is of an inferior type.
In that case, don't let it get you down. I'll never out-do Arnold nor would I want to, but that's not what it's about. It's about me realizing my own potential instead of someone else's.
This maybe why many individuals who achieve great 'worldly' things often have a sad story to tell, they have been bruised in the past, their egos are hurt, and highly sensitive, they feel inferior to others, and they have a score to settle with the world. These individuals are often highly motivated.
Well, I'm not highly motivated. Then again, I never really achieved any "great worldly things" (whatever that means). I did make a bunch of progress at the gym, but then I lost the passion for it.
So, the question/s still remains...
Furthermore, it's about developing thee plan...