My Flipflops Don't Have Bootstraps

Meaning of the phrase "pull yourself up by your bootstraps":
To improve your situation by your own efforts without any help from other people.

What motivates you? I often wonder what motivates different personalities. In my work experience, my successful co-workers usually fit into one of two categories: those who are very comfortable in their present jobs with no interest in progressing further and those who are constantly eying the next rung on the corporate ladder.

Now the people I have in mind for the first category excel at their present jobs. They have mastered their careers and they really know what they're doing. This is not to say that they are not still learning or growing as that is a necessity in this age of advancing technology, but they are very happy with what they do. They've been doing it for a long time and it is obvious that they will be excelling at their existing jobs for a very long time.They are very happy with their lot in life and not looking for change.

The people in the second group are epitomized by my first mentor who confided that each time she received a promotion she celebrated for five minutes before hatching her plan of action for the next promotion. These people also excel in their jobs, but they always have their eye on the prize and are always planning their next step. They take these steps after they pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

I used to be of the bootstrap group, but lately I've been less than motivated. At first I just thought I was in a funk and that the fire in my belly would return (and I'm NOT talking about indigestion), but now I wonder. I wonder if my previous motivation was inspired by something or someone other than myself. I've been lucky to have had some rather remarkable mentors and leaders. I've also had some fierce competition from my co-workers. Maybe my inspiration never existed within myself. Maybe I was never a "bootstraper" after all.

So I wonder, what motivates you? Are you inspired by your environment or does your inspiration come from within? Or is it a little bit of both? Do your shoes have bootstraps or are you like me and wearing lovely flipflops?

Comments

[Gina]

In terms of careers, I never fell into either of those groups. I hated mastering my job because it meant instant boredom. I wasn't seeking the next rung, as I had no interest in longer work days and carrying a company mobile phone. As for my knitting motivation? Who can say where that comes from? Lately, I've been less motivated to knit than I have been to read. Actually, the reading is good because I don't have to face fitting or seaming issues.

[Brianne]

My work motivation has changed as my life has changed.

I worked for a resort management company when I first got married because I got to know all the resort managers and therefore was offered free weekend vacations. When my son was born I went to work for my family so that I could bring him to work with me, and even though I hated the type of work the ability to keep him around was worth it. Now I'm doing customer service and I absolutely love it. I won't be promoted to anything in the next 5 years even... but I'm really okay with that. I enjoy my work and to me that's worth a lot.

My knitting motivation is kind of the same way. It all depends on what I'm doing at that moment in time. Right now I'm feeling good about myself and where I am, so I'm making a sweater for myself... the first big thing that I've made just for me.

[Shelly]

My motivations are ever-changing, as well. Right now, work can barely distract me from wanting to NOT be at work. Time for a different job, for sure!

In knitting, I am almost entirely monkey-see monkey-do, with my own twists. I love a good idea and a good design, and they inspire me. I am constantly hungry for artistic inspiration, so I seek out a lot of different things to feed the need.