In times of despair and financial need, money was of course may times a motivating factor (sometimes the only motivating factor) for me. However, I try not to let the prospect of a big paycheck guide the way anymore when deciding on a career choice. I once, after a long-term personal financial depression (due to continued unemployment right after graduation from college), took a detour from my original plans and tried to take on a job (in which I was self-employed) as an insurance agent, after my mentor had laid out a strategy for success that was sure to bring about great financial gains after a few years. With this prospect in mind, I happily accepted, got the training that I needed and went out to meet new prospects. However, I quickly found that I was not happy trying to entice people to buy overpriced insurance policies simply to reap a huge commission for myself (let’s just say that after selling only 8 policies in a month, I had earned more than my husband for that month). I guess I am too honest of a person and started feeling like I was taking advantage of “innocent, unsuspecting people” (they did make informed decisions themselves, but I just did not feel right selling things to people). So after only 5 months of being an active insurance agent I gave up my career and went back to school to complete more of my premed courses. My ultimate goal is to apply to medical school in another year, but right now I have started my own day care business. In both fields, I find, primary monetary motivation are inappropriate and would severely handicap you from delivering quality services to your clients or patients. Many people have asked me why my day care rates are so low. I think that brings back the whole issue of not wanting to take advantage of my day care parents and also helping them obtain care at a rate that they can afford. I remember when I was looking for care for my own children at times, I could hardly believe some of the outrageous rates other providers would try to charge. Not only were they unaffordable, but I would have only worked to pay gas for my car and day care for my children. Not worth it in my opinion.

I'm not highly motivated by money. I guess that's why I'm broke, eh? When I was working at regular employment I seldom worked overtime when it was voluntary, which it usually was.

I find more satisfaction in the relationships that I have with my friends and family. Material possessions can become a trap when we always desire more than we already have.

So yes, there are a LOT of things I won't do for money. Any illegal activity is out of the question; I won't sell my soul for financial gain.

I'm pretty motivated by money, simply because the things I like to do are expensive. While I do enjoy just going for a walk, reading, etc., I usually have a little list of things I want to do that require money: art classes, Pilates classes, traveling, etc. I also just recently accepted to graduate school, so saving enough money to avoid more student loan debt is a pretty big motivator.

If I had enough money, I would indulge tons of hobbies. I also really want to stop renting, because I seem to have problems with every landlord I end up with. Having enough money to put a down payment on a house would be wonderful.

Money = freedom. Freedom to do what I want to do is the real motivator, but money is the go-between.

When I was younger and needed to feed my family I chased money. But at this point it is the deal that motivates me. I like the action thats involved and the pursuit of the goal. I have worked 16 hour days for myself and built a business doing so. I now don't work so hard and delegate reesponsibility to others. But as my Father always told me these two things: You'll never make any real money working for someone else and no matter what you do be the best at it and you'll always work.

Money is not everything, that is true. Money, however, is the most practical of motivators.

I see nothing wrong with that. A person that would do anything for money is just as likely to do anything for whatever he or she may covet. Likewise, a person that is motivated to work hard by seeing money as a reward for his or her hard work, is also likely to give 100% in whatever project they may embark upon, even those without direct monetary compensation.

Seeking monetary reward does make you a bad person, nor does it make you a good person.

Divorcing yourself of the pursuit of money also does not make you a good person nor a bad person.

One is good, or one is bad by one's own character and scruples. Money is just the carrot on the stick. Ultimately, we ourselves decide where that stick leads us to, be it a good place or a bad place.

Money motivates me very effectively. :)

When I was younger I was motivated more by recognition, but the older I get the more I want money. I guess it is a security issue. I realize that in 20 years or so I may no longer be able to make money. In the words of my farmraised mother:

I "Better make hay while the sun shines!"