Well, despite the parameters of the question, the answer truly is no choice. But, on the emotional motivation side, I do find that it is helpful to have some degree of structure and expectation from others to be somewhere. And do my part. I hate letting people down. (Which of course can get very hard.) And along the lines of what A Red Panda said, I am terrified of of having to explain myself, so in I go. Almost always. I may be late, lost in my own head, suicidal or bouncing off the walls, but I'm there.

I've always worked (except one spell of a few horrific months and scattered unemployment). 39 jobs (that I can recall….there may have been more(!)). Never full-time. Longest lasting was 6 years, but it was seasonal. Never made diddly squat. Never interested in anything remotely managerial (I can barely manage myself and my people skills are….not so great). The sort of work I do now is a good match work-wise. But it's always the people….First time with this kind of work I was always butting heads with the boss/owner. Second time, no retail aspect! Extremely few people. Which of course made it my favorite job ever. Until one person decided to make it a living hell. Not so motivated now….

Like vj, I'm a really hard worker and don't goof off. Which is the absolute key element that keeps me in (relatively, lol) good graces. Most of the time. It covers a lot of sins as they say. That's an emotional motivation…. being able to take pride in being a hard worker.