I Need Motivation

[apocalypse]

Alright, so, this will make me look like an idiot, but whatever.
Basically, I failed every class in 11th grade because I never showed up and never did any work. And, last semester, I was kicked out of school, so now I have to do some courses via correspondence. Except, every time I sit down to do it, I pretty much get distracted within the first five minutes.
How do I motivate myselfffffff

 

[Vicariously]

no offense hun, but if you really wanted to do it, you would. Its that simple...so the answer to your question would simply be avoid distraction and desire to get the course work done. I mean look at it this way the sooner you do it the sooner it will be over with right?

 

[Tueuse de Vampires]

I have exactly the same problem. I never even get down and try to work, and if I do, somethig always comes up. I had to do an IQ test a couple of weeks ago and they psychologist told me that I could be a straight A student, go to university and be one of the top students as well, if I only wanted to (ergo, I'm smart enough). So the reason why I suck is plainly because I'm too effing lazy to make anything out of my life.
I got the advice to make up a timetable where you really plan to learn every day to a certain time, like maybe every time from 7 to 8. I haveb't tried it yet but people say having a timetable really helps a lot because it makes you stop procrastinating.

 

[white avenger]

Alright, so, this will make me look like an idiot, but whatever.
Basically, I failed every class in 11th grade because I never showed up and never did any work. And, last semester, I was kicked out of school, so now I have to do some courses via correspondence. Except, every time I sit down to do it, I pretty much get distracted within the first five minutes.
How do I motivate myselfffffff

I have a friend whose son had the same problem that you seem to have. My friend got the boy a summer job at the local slaughter house. Three months of blood and chicken guts was all the motivation he needed! He finished high school, got his degree, and now he's motivating kids as a History teacher.

 

[Joyce Summers]

My friend got the boy a summer job at the local slaughter house. Three months of blood and chicken guts was all the motivation he needed!

Of all the things I expected you to say....that was not even on the list.

Despite the crazy ickyness of chicken and blood, haha, WA has got the general gist of what I was going to say motivation wise. Motivation to do your work is look at the alternative. Like Willow said "Otherwise you end up the guy at the pizza place asking 'hey kids where's the cool parties?'". Would you rather forget all this work and be stuck in a dead end unrewarding, mind numbing, low wage job for the rest of your life? Or just work your butt off now so you can get a good job that you actually want later in life.

Also...work away from windows. Passing squirrels and sunshine tend to distract.

 

[Randy Giles]

It was always hard for me to do my homework and everything.

Firstly, it's complete BULL how the school systems work. Eight hours away from your family learning all this stuff, a LARGE chunk stuff that's completely useless and that they shouldn't force you to learn, and then you have so much homework and studying that to be an "excellent" student you have to spend at least two and a half to three hours on it.

So I never really had a problem concentrating IN school, but out of school I thought it was BS to spend all my time on such sh!t and I usually only half-did it, or cheated. And no, I don't feel guilty about that.

I'm going to school this fall after a two-year break and I'm really gonna have to find a way to make myself spend all that time doing homework. I'm only going to take a few classes at a time though.

 

[Black Eye Guy]

Motivation with school was always impossible for me. I basically did the bare minimum, like in Secondary school(High school) I wouldn't do homework at home I would squeeze it in 5mins before class. I always went with the thought that work was for in school, and once it hit 4pm that was it, it was my time.

I also had the really handy ability to talk my way out of trouble, something I have perfected down to an almost super-power like quality! in 6 years of secondary school I got 1 detention (And it wasn't for something work related).

I did a course to do a portfolio of art work, after secondary school, to get into Art college, basically I attended whenever I wanted and did the work that I wanted, this course was more of a your time is yours kinda thing, so I didn't have to worry about getting given out to.

When I got into college and started I wasn't really enjoying it and decided to dust off those old get out of trouble powers I had. I skipped the first 2 days, and then didn't really attend, they wanted us in for 9 every morning, which didn't work with me, so I came in whenever I wanted. I also took the whole month of October off, came back and talked my way into getting all my projects deferred till later in the year!

I came back full of motivation, but quickly got bored, also my class wasn't too impressed with me, seeing as they were breaking their backs to attend and pass and I was coming in for about 12hours a week (Of a 40hour week course) but wasn't even getting given out to, and was getting allot more time then they were for projects!

So when that motivation ran out after 4 days, I dropped out! Decided to take some time off. What I would say is, get through high school, suck it up and just do it, Im not sure how the system works over there, but in Ireland you were able to work out exactly what you have to do to pass, so I was able to concentrate on subjects I liked and pass.

After that you get to choose what you want to do, and when your doing what you want to do so you'll be motivated.

 

[apocalypse]

Of all the things I expected you to say....that was not even on the list.

Despite the crazy ickyness of chicken and blood, haha, WA has got the general gist of what I was going to say motivation wise. Motivation to do your work is look at the alternative. Like Willow said "Otherwise you end up the guy at the pizza place asking 'hey kids where's the cool parties?'". Would you rather forget all this work and be stuck in a dead end unrewarding, mind numbing, low wage job for the rest of your life? Or just work your butt off now so you can get a good job that you actually want later in life.

Also...work away from windows. Passing squirrels and sunshine tend to distract.

This doesn't really work for me, though. Basically, any job is going to be mind-numbingly dull, because after about five minutes, everything gets boring.

 

[white avenger]

This doesn't really work for me, though. Basically, any job is going to be mind-numbingly dull, because after about five minutes, everything gets boring.

Well, I have no idea just what your financial situation is, but unless it's awful secure and will be for a long, long time to come, there's gonna come a time when you'll just have to either put up with that "mind-numbingly dull" job or starve. If that's not enough motivation, there's just nothing more that I or anybody else can offer you in way of advice. I hope you get what you need somewhere.

 

[TabulaRasa]

For me, in school...I had no idea. I didn't have the motivation either. I drifted in class, coudn't focus etc.

As an adult I finally found out I have A.D.D. It's no laughing matter. I just have a hard time to focus, I drift off sometimes when people are talking to me. I can't multi task in the sense that if I am on the computer doing something, I can't hear the person talking beside me. Well I hear then, but I can't actually listen to what they are saying to me.

There is plenty more symptoms I have but it's a long list. It's not terrible to have, you can control it, well I can't I need meds. I don't take them though. not now. Maybe when I have kids or something, cause Lord knows I need to pay attention to them!!!

I took an online test when I was trying to figure out if I had it. Then of course doctors and such can confirm it.
If I had known in highschool that I had it, and well, not just HS but elementary too. I would have passed with flying colors.

 

[definition of insane]

I would maybe suggest just breaking things down in smaller jobs and doing them one by one. Sure it sounds tedious and completely like the type of advice you'd get from like a teacher or something, but really that's how I got through uni when I finally realised that I couldn't just cram the night before like I used to in high school.

I kinda get where you come from, I can't do one thing for a long period of time. I switch tasks constantly because I get bored with what I'm doing but by hitting smaller goals before I switch tasks I know I'm actually getting things done.

 

[Joyce Summers]

Originally posted by apocalypsenerd
This doesn't really work for me, though. Basically, any job is going to be mind-numbingly dull, because after about five minutes, everything gets boring.

Well if that's your general attitude to life then I'm afraid you're NEVER going to get motivation. And like WA said unless you have a nice little sizeable trust fund tucked away that means you're not going to be required to work then you're going to have to get over the dullness of it all and deal. Lots of people end up in jobs they don't like- but they get on with it because they don't want to, you know, starve or be homeless.
But if you work hard at school, there's a much higher chance you can get a job you choose and like. And are you honestly telling me that there isn't one job, no matter how far-fetched, that you would want. You have no career that appeals to you even slightly?

If not and you are always going to look at life as 'everything's boring after five minutes' then I'm afraid no amount of advice we throw at you is going to help.

 

[groovygarden]

I understand it can be difficult to motivate yourself, but I'm afraid it's just something everyone has to learn to deal with.

Given the choice of sitting down to do some study, or go out with friends, I know which is the most appealing.

Thing is, you're concentrating on what feels good now, rather than thinking about your future. This is completely natural, but isn't going to do your any favours long-term.

In 10 years time you are really going to be able to tell the difference between you and a friend who managed to motivate themselves to study. It sounds a bit harsh, but you're likely to have less money, a more boring and unfulfilling job, and live in a worse area. That all sounds really materialistic, but while you may think it's no fun to study, it's even less fun to worry about paying bills, or to wake up each morning dreading going to work, or to have to miss out on that holiday, or to wish you could afford to move your family to a nicer area.

My Dad teaches adults who didn't do well at school, and so are having to go back and learn in their 20s, 30s and 40s what they should have done in their teens. I've met some of my Dad's pupils, and I can tell you they really regret not making the most of school.

Try setting yourself realistic targets. For example - settle down to 20 minutes of proper work, then have a 20 minute break. Then try another 20 minutes of work. Treat yourself to a 40 minute break (mmm about the length of an episode of Buffy) then finish off with another 20 minutes of work. That's an hour of work done in two hours which is a good start. You can build up the length of time you work to 30 minutes, then 40.

It might also help you to start thinking about what you are working towards. Do you know what kind of job you might want to do when you're older? Does your school have a careers advisor you could talk to? You're 17 and you can be anything you want to be. It seems the main thing which could hold you back is you.

 

[Tueuse de Vampires]

I took an online test when I was trying to figure out if I had it. Then of course doctors and such can confirm it.
If I had known in highschool that I had it, and well, not just HS but elementary too. I would have passed with flying colors.

could you give me the URL to the test? I would be curious what the test says about me.

 

[apocalypse]

Well if that's your general attitude to life then I'm afraid you're NEVER going to get motivation. And like WA said unless you have a nice little sizeable trust fund tucked away that means you're not going to be required to work then you're going to have to get over the dullness of it all and deal. Lots of people end up in jobs they don't like- but they get on with it because they don't want to, you know, starve or be homeless.
But if you work hard at school, there's a much higher chance you can get a job you choose and like. And are you honestly telling me that there isn't one job, no matter how far-fetched, that you would want. You have no career that appeals to you even slightly?

If not and you are always going to look at life as 'everything's boring after five minutes' then I'm afraid no amount of advice we throw at you is going to help.

Every possible career I can think of makes me want to shoot myself in the face.

 

[white avenger]

You asked for motivation at the beginning of this thread, and yet every suggestion that has been offered here has either been ignored entirely or answered in the same way, literally, "I don't want to do that." You're at the stage of your life where you have to either decide to be a burden on someone else for the rest of your life, or decide that you're going to do something, even if it doesn't work out and you have to change your mind and try something else. That's what's called being an adult, and whether you want to be one or not, that's gonna happen with no help from you. It's just a matter of aging, and it's unavoidable.

My last advice to you is, get some professional help. You're obviously resisting everything that we can suggest here, so maybe you're really in need of psychiatric help. Whatever you choose to do, ultimately YOU are the one who's gonna have to do it, and if you don't really want the advice of friendly laymen, which is the impression you've given me here, a doctor is your only hope. You may not like it, and you may try to resist it, but the fact is that the world is most certainly going to intrude on you and your life, and it is completely unavoidable. Deal with it. You're not the first person on the planet to feel discouraged about the prospect of having to grow up and make your way in the world, and you most certainly won't be the last. Everybody's survived it so far, whether they wanted to or not, and you can too, but ultimately, at some point, you have to realize that. Once you accept that fact, it will gradually begin to get better.

Don't forget my suggestion of medical help though, cause you most definately strike me as someone hwo could benefit from it.

 

[Joyce Summers]

Every possible career I can think of makes me want to shoot myself in the face.

Okay, in response to that just basically look at WA's reply above.

You are shooting down every piece of advice we can give you. If you so blatantly don't want to try anything we have to offer help-wise then why even bother to ask.
You remind me very much of my cousin years ago. He had exactly the same attitude as you. He stopped going to high school so much he got kicked out. He tried numerous jobs but they were all 'too boring' and he dropped out of each one within a few days.
Now he's single, unemployed and still living with his parents even though he is thirty one years old. Needless to say he has no life and every last friend of his has long forgotten him. If that's where you wanna end up stop asking for help and keep up that attitude of giving up. Because you've really nailed that.

 

[November]

I was diagnosed with ADHD and Bi Polar a few years ago - when I started uni. High school was a breeze for me, decent marks and uni entry no probs, I didnt study but I had a great ability to bull talk. Maybe our school here is easier or something? I dont think I have ADHD even though all the tests say so. My concertration is shocking but I found that deteriorated since finishing school. I suppose it is less practice or something? I duno. I can hardly read a post on this site that goes longer than a few lines and I have already walked away from the computer 3 times from distraction while writting this!
Set little goals for yourself - baby steps. Sit down and tell yourself you will get through 2 pages if a work book then you get a 15 min break ( I heard somewhere that any longer then 15 mins isnt good as your body winds down from whatever you were doing and it is hard to get motivated again) then once 2 pages gets easy, try 3 pages. You will find that the sense of achievement is a great motivational tool, your brain gets a rush of endorphins too so the releif isnt just psycological.
Good luck to you.
Most people have given great advice, I hope that you take some of it. 🙂*

 

[groovygarden]

Well said WA & JS.

Aapocalypsenerd, have you been checked out for ADHD, autism, dyslexia etc? Hopefully your school will have referred you if they thought this could be a problem.

Assuming these things aren't the source of your problems, I don't know whether your posts make me want to laugh or cry. The teenage bravado is quite funny on one hand, but on the other your attitude isn't going to take you anywhere good, and that's really sad. You're 17 and you're already condemning yourself to be less than you could be.

But it's your choice. One I think you'll regret sooner than you think, but your choice nevertheless. Don't forget that when you look back in 5 or 10 years.

 

[Vicariously]

Every possible career I can think of makes me want to shoot myself in the face.

Is it the sheer inconvenience of responsibility that has you running scared or just a general feeling of a low self worth?

Seems to me you dont value life. Call me harsh, but like I originally stated "if you wanted to do it you would." That's become even more apparant with your blatant disdain for everyones advice to you. People have tried to give you "motivational" tips and all you can do is sit there and say things like the above.

Thats fine apocalypsenerd, go ahead and condem yourself to failure. There is not a single thing we could say to you to motivate you because you have already made up your mind that "studying" is of no use to you. That "jobs" are of no use to you. That being a "productive human being" is "oh so boring".

all I can say as someone who is only a few years older than you is that you are "oh so naive"

I seriously doubt a word of what I say will matter and you will undoubtedly determine I am picking on you. Which isn't the case. Call it jealousy actually; if you will , because you are not made to do what is neccessary to survive on your own. Perhaps I am wrong, but you must have a sense of security that others will provide for you and thats why you snub responsiblity so confidently.

I unofrtunately wasnt so lucky. I who was diagnosed with ADD at a young age did my best to avoid distraction. (though I had many reasons to be) I who was living on my own at 17!!!! (Yep bought my own car, paid my own BILLS, LIVED ENTIRELY ON MY OWN...etc....)

Count your blessings.

I am not actually bitter about living the life I have, in fact when I look at other people my age I see two things: both the disadvantages I faced and the upper hand I have, having lived my life with unique experiences to most my age.

But I DO find it infuriating when I see someone who I am guessing is a 100% capable and most likely has people to support them and CAN do well and they just WONT.

You aren't the first person who has ever infuriated me with this attitude. In general many people have a view on life as whole, in a negative light. The "my life is so horrible but I won't do a thing to change it" attitude is not unique. And you know what? To all that want to sit there and say that and lack the motovation to change it, you're right!!! Your life is "horrible" because that's the way YOU make it!