Need Motivation?

Sometimes motivation cannot be found no matter how hard you look. There are distractions everywhere, especially if you're on the internet. Whether you're a writer, a student, or a professional, you might need some help once in awhile to get that boost of motivation. In my search for motivation I have found two websites that might help with productivity. If that doesn't intrigue you enough, one website involves kittens and the other involves punishment.

  

Written? Kitten!: If you're a fan of positive reinforcement AND a fan of kittens, this website is for you. This website is very simple. There's a text box you type into that keeps track of word count and every 100 words a fresh kitten picture pops up to the right. Depending on your browser, your work can be saved if you accidentally exit out of the screen. However, this site is meant only as a place to draft your writing. There is no way to format or check spelling and grammar so it's always advised to copy your text into a word processing program when you're done. The images of kittens are randomly selected from Flickr with tags of "kitten" and "cute". Unfortunately, I have yet to see a Written? Puppy! site, but this is a good start if you're encouraged by cute animals. However, if you're opposed to kittens or work better under the threat of negative reinforcement, there's hope.

Write or Die: This website is also very simple. There's a text box you type into that keeps track of word count and you choose you're consequences. This site is also only meant as a first draft tool. You can input your word count goal or a time goal and while you type, you're given a grace period of a certain number of seconds (categorized as forgiving, strict, or evil) before the consequence happens. If you stop typing for long enough one of three consequences will happen. In gentle mode a box will pop up reminding you to continue writing, in normal mode an unpleasant sound will be played and will only stop when you start writing again, and in kamikaze mode your work will unwrite itself. This scares me, so I stick with kittens, but maybe one of these sites will work for you. Give them a try and see if they help motivate you.