Can Motivation be Forced?

check out this motivational video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDf757QwXpk&feature=youtu.be&t=26s

 

I found that making a to do list for the day helps, and then no matter how unmotivated you are, just start with the first thing. As you start checking things off, your motivation goes up. I think it's the actual process of marking of the things that are done that give your brain that boost to just keep going.

 

IMO motivation cannot be forced. Someone can pour all their heart into trying to motivate you, but if you don't try to utilize their advice or whatever, it's not gonna work.
It's all in the mind.
I get my motivation from my goal itself. Just how rewarding will it be to reach a goal you've been trying to reach for months upon months? Very. The thought of it is motivation, watching myself progress everyday as the counter gets higher and higher and I feel stronger effects.
And the metaphor I put behind stuff also give me small little motivations. For example, my avatar. It's a maze, my metaphor about NoFap. The centre square is the starting point, and you're supposed to guide your urges to the exit. It's hard, you need to stop and think, solve it. But if you look at it, there's no way out. That's because you set the goals, either close to the start or the far end, look through every crook and cranny or just rush, you set the goals of NoFap, and once you set it, reach it.
Stuff like that keep me motivated, and everyone's different. So I advice you to experiment and find the way that works best for you, that keeps you the most motivated. It can be one thing or a list, just find it, use it, keep going.

 

Sure motivation can be forced upon someone reluctant. Friends encouraging you is such an aspect. In my opinion though this cannot be relied up always as the main motivational force will be eternally yourself and will have the largest impact.

In saying all this your only 1/6th of the way to changing a habit because your motivated.

Check this one of the best videos I have seen in years for changing your behavioural patterns (e.g. PMO)
- Change Anything Skillpower Over Will Power: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TX-Nu5wTS8

 

I don't think you can force motivation but it might be possible to create a habit out of productivity. If you force yourself to be productive for an extended period of time, when you stop you may feel uncomfortable that you're wasting your time and that may motivate you to find something productive to keep yourself busy.

For example, sometimes I have such feeling after a busy week at work. If on a particular week I work long hours, keep myself busy at home with laundry, cleaning, cooking, preparing for the next day etc., I sometimes feel compelled to do something productive on the weekend. I wouldn't call this a motivation, it's more of a compulsion to keep being busy.

 

In my opinion there are different types of motivation. Carrots and sticks(rewards and punishments) and then things you do strictly for yourself. If you force your self to do something after a couple of times you might begin to like it more.

 

I definantely agree there are also studies to support forcing yourself to do a task (when it is meaningful and not mundane) is much more successful than monetary rewards (which actually is harmful!).

Monetary rewards however can be useful to complete non-meanginful(ish) stuff such as if I drink more beers than my friend I will get $20 or even if I can do 20 pushups today I get $20.