Motivation

I guess this is a follow on of the line of least resistance.  So often it seems so easy for me to pamper myself.    To do otherwise is hard.  It seems to be why so often New Year’s resolutions die.  Sometimes it is right and proper for me to pamper myself.  There are times though, when it is not.
We have probably seen illustrations where there is an angel on one shoulder, and a devil on the other.  They are both making suggestions.  Whatever the angel says, the devil suggests the exact opposite.  Personally, I am unsure if they are needed.  I am naturally inclined to want to take the line of least resistance.  It is easier to sit on the couch, then get up.
I saw someone talking about motivation the other day.  There is probably way more involved, but I agreed with what they were saying.  They suggested that to be motivated we needed to see a reward for our efforts.  If I want to be the Hulk (in my own small way), then I need to see that clearly, or else what is the point? 
I guess it is about replacing one thing with another.  It is why I am replacing my diet.  I see the benefits.  I am replacing one thing with another.  I must remember too, that it is for me only (unless I have the authority, and I need someone to do something).
Part of the interview was about motivating kids at school.  To me, that is a toughy.  Part of my motivation was just to do well to give me options. I do wish though, they had taught more life skills at school.  Maybe a lack of motivation is a reason we see such a high level of truancy in some places.  Some just do not see the reward, or are not willing to pay the price to achieve it. That could be too simplistic, but I am very much against making the simple un-necessarily complicated.
One time I got really inspired, and did up a list of goals that were right and proper for me.   I was incredibly offended when others did not have the same vision for themselves.  It is not up to me to impose my will upon another.  It mostly goes over like a lead balloon. It seems to me that to be effective, things must be born of ourselves.
At the moment I am putting in place things that are hard for me, but I know that doing so will lead to a good outcome.  I know I will go the way of all things, but in the meantime, this is one of the things that keeps me interested.