THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: motivation


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Love what you do

The daily prompt asks – How do you stay motivated when learning something new?

I try to look at learning as an opportunity. If I can put what I learn into practice, I’m usually more motivated. If I see results in what I’m learning that is also good motivation.

I’ve found over time if it’s something you’re interested in, have a passion for, then learning is easy and staying motivated is just par for the course.

I had a hell of a time staying motivated for Oracle database training. I had no desire to be a DBA. Because I love being a UNIX Administrator.

Being with others, learning at the same time and then building on that knowledge together is motivating and fun.

When teaching something to people I tried to make it fun where I could.

I learned that learning got me places and that is motivating.

I’ve turned down titles and money for an opportunity to learn something different.

When working and I wanted to learn something new about an area I would always pick the person who seemed to love his work and or take the most pride in it.

In my last few years of work in my 60s I had the pleasure of working with some younger people. Lots of them with degrees and titles and backgrounds. What motivated me was to prove to them that this old fossil had a lot of important knowledge and could learn about their area and bring something more to the table.

Throughout my career in publishing, we were always learning something new. There was always constant change in technology. And I guess that is what made it fun with all the people I got to experience it with. Well, most of them.

Being retired now I don’t push myself like the old days. Motivation is easy because I’m doing some things I hoped to be doing when I got out of school at a young age.

I’m motivated to see what other bloggers and photographers are doing and learning from them. In doing something myself each day I hope I’m learning and improving my own creative efforts.

Love what you do.

A bride with red hair joyfully embraces her partner during a wedding ceremony, surrounded by floral decorations and an arch. A woman smiles in the background.
Photo by Mike Hartley


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Movement

It’s the weekend so it’s a fluid situation. A swirl of activities, plans and places. As much as possible inside of course. Like this water I’m going to try to increase my movement to keep from freezing over.

There is a sense of urgency in me now again after the holiday season and being under the weather for a while. I have so many half-finished projects that need to be complete. This coming month is a good time to knock all of them out. I’ll refer to it as Finishary.

Why does darker water look deeper? Photo by Mike Hartley

I have prepped one area for a new display. I’ve decided to expand the large print collection of Arlington National Cemetery and add another wall in the basement to it to help me decide on a final series.

A little more sanding on a wooden mug for an old friend and I can get to carving a special figure into it. His initials are on the other side. I’m thinking of adding his nickname to the piece also but might skip that one.

The list is long of things to complete and there is a task at hand before I get to those things. Plus, it’s still the last day of January so I will get a running start this afternoon.

Have a great morning all.


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Motivating

The daily writing prompt asks – What motivates you? – It’s a little early in the morning for this type of question. I still haven’t had my morning soda.

Each day is different, so my motivations vary. Some days my better half is very motivating. Some days my children and grandchildren can be motivating.

My friends are always motivated to get together and have a good time.

This week I’m motivated to get some good photos, love and spoil the pet we are watching for a few days, enjoy some improving weather and spend some time in the car with the top down along some twisty roads.

I’m really motivated by all my hobbies and I’m spending more time on them each day now.

The refrigerator motivates me.

Painting is much easier with a camera. Photo by Mike Hartley

View others motivations here


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Balls to the Wall

Sorry about the rude title but it’s a phrase our group uses about maximum effort. Sort of like “pedal to the metal” or “Full Bore” or “All OUT.” It’s just our groups nature, we go full tilt boogie through life.

When I Googled “Balls to the Wall” it returned something I didn’t know. – First attested in the 1960s in the context of aviation, in reference to ball-shaped grips on an aircraft’s engine controls (typically throttle, prop pitch and fuel mixture). Pushing these “balls to the wall” would put the aircraft at maximum thrust.

This nice sled was in Frederick Maryland a few years back. Photo by Mike Hartley

I think 2025 is going to be one of those years I put the pedal down. I had a good year in 24 but I could have accomplished more. I did let myself relax after pushing myself hard for a long time and I’m glad I took the break.

My goals are much clearer now a year after retirement. I’m glad I had a good plan going into it but now I can refine and refocus. And hopefully produce something more robust.

By working steadily through the year each day, I learned not only skills and techniques but more importantly the effort it’s going to take to keep this up and expand it to my vision. I learned that I liked to have the ultimate flexible schedule but that wasn’t always the most productive.

Photo Editing and Writing are time consumers. There might not be much of a way around that. Both could use more time to be honest to increase the quality here and on my display stuff.

I really got stronger the last few months on a few woodworking projects. That is a lot of fun because you can see your progress very clearly. I’ve been working on a pastel piece for 2 months now and I’m nowhere near done.

Sometimes when I think I’m done with a project I find something I’ve missed in previous shoots that need adding to, or I pay a fresh visit or maybe at a different time of season and have a whole new aspect to add to the subject.

I don’t know why I feel like I’m in a creative lul sometimes. It’s ridiculous, because there is endless possibilities.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • You can tell the stress level of the general public by taking a drive.
  • Why can’t those drones fly over my house. I’d like some target practice. Hover low over my airspace at your own risk.
  • I love putting up Xmas lights. I have someone to keep me in check though.
  • The workout felt good today.


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Spurred

What motivates you? – A simple question from the Daily Writing prompt.

Quick answer – Love, sunrises, learning, the sound of a V8, food, creating, music, competition, sunsets, stick shifts, family, friends. I’d like to think at the end that my life had a positive purpose.

Keep moving forward. Photo by Mike Hartley

Long answer – This one made me think a good bit. I’ll start with things that motivate me today and work my way back.

Being the grandparent who is there for them and helps with wisdom, fun, and motivation.

The opportunity to do something I thought about doing when I was a teen as a senior citizen. Which is to try to use my creative abilities to make something special through my art that will touch people, especially those close to me.

About a year ago, one of my best friend’s wives gave me a picture of her husband and son and me coming off the beach in Bethany Delaware. It’s a nice picture but for some strange reason, it made me look at myself hard and saw an overweight person. I just said to myself the next pictures of me at the beach will be healthy-looking. And I’ve managed to shed 30-35 lbs and maintain this healthy weight.

Before I retired I had the privilege of working with many talented people. I would pick their best talents and traits and use them as motivation to improve myself. I always felt this overwhelming need to carry my weight on the job and be able to pick up or help others who weren’t. I saw people who were natural mentors and tried to always share what I could.

Health scares can be a big motivator. Just ask anyone who’s had one.

I’ve always had this underlying feeling inside that I should do my best. I’m guessing some of that came from my parents. Most of the friends I’ve had in life have been very hard-working and I used that to outwork almost all of them.

When I got married and when we started a family those were extreme motivators. I could never let down my family and I wanted to provide a good life for them.

I realized at a young age my mother’s life was touched by great loss throughout her life. So therefore I was motivated to always be there for her.

It might seem like I’m motivated and I am but I’ve also stumbled significantly over the years. Some bad choices have taken time away. Ego after getting good at some things took time away from constantly improving. Selfishness has taken time and energy from the family I cherish. Laziness kept me from learning all I could have.

So I just get up each day and try my best now.

Other interesting replies to today’s question