Motivation?! What triggers yours?!

Good morning/afternoon Tech Fam,
So I posted this thread to see what keeps you guys motivated to continue to study for certs and expand your knowledge?
I understand that of course money can be a motivating factor, but what are other things that keep you guys moving?! I know there's a ton of experienced professionals here so what is something that pumps you up and motivate you?
I'm a 22 year old and I'm facing some family issues, so what keeps me motivated is putting my self in the position, as a man, to be able to care of my mother and little brother. What are some additional things that I can find to motivate me and give me that extra boost?!!?
So I posted this thread to see what keeps you guys motivated to continue to study for certs and expand your knowledge?
I understand that of course money can be a motivating factor, but what are other things that keep you guys moving?! I know there's a ton of experienced professionals here so what is something that pumps you up and motivate you?
I'm a 22 year old and I'm facing some family issues, so what keeps me motivated is putting my self in the position, as a man, to be able to care of my mother and little brother. What are some additional things that I can find to motivate me and give me that extra boost?!!?
Comments
"I'm a 22 year old and I'm facing some family issues, so what keeps me motivated is putting my self in the position, as a man, to be able to care of my mother and little brother". This is about as honorable and as motivating as it gets. JMHO
It has turned into a passion and that's what keeps me at it.
A love for technology and a willingness to learn new things.
Other reasons
Don't want to rely on others for ANYTHING
Take care of the kids
Keeps you busy
Driven mad to learn new skills on a daily basis and keep on the cutting edge as much as possible. Ironically the learning gets a little more difficult as you get into you're nth decade but the discipline to keep doing it becomes more habit than hindrance. In other words it gets easier with age. At least for some people. Others move into management because they can't learn any more.
That's the truth of it. Like it or not.
- b/eads
"It’s the question that drives us, Neo." - Trinity
I enjoy being able to break things down and to investigate them. To look at something and say here are the flaws or to say "this is where they got in and what they got".
PHP
Kotlin
Intro to Discrete Math
Programming Languages
Work stuff
"Simplify, then add lightness" -Colin Chapman
Also, when I catch myself doing something mundane and boring, or when I have a bad idea I think screw this I can do better...time to work!
I have my moments but generally speaking I spend 4 months studying in some capacity and 8 months relaxing to give myself a break. I try to complete and/or renew two certs a year (realistically it's usually one).
I like the challenge. Same at work. I'm not the person that sits there and accepts status quo, I want to be challenged. Same with studying. Yes it's nice to take breaks (currently taking one until August when I start on my MCSA upgrade) but I find myself excited to start studying for the next certification, getting that high from passing the exam.
Money helps but what helps more is knowing that keeping up with technology will ensure the next guy doesn't take my place. IT is competitive and if you don't stay on top of it you will be passed up.
Fear of unemployment. I was very surprised how tough the job market was in 2013, I thought someone with 20 years experience in IT would have no trouble getting something, even crappy jobs would have been something. Nothing but crickets when I sent my resume. I ended up taking a temp job I would have never have considered before. Lady luck favored me and it led to something great. I can't rely on luck next time.