So how does one stay motivated?

One thing that keeps me motivated to finish my models is having a reason to be building it in the first place. From September of last year, until now, I've completed 6 models. Of these 6, I finished 4 with the sole intention of giving them to some one as a gift. Having a deadline in mind, and knowing that what I am creating will bring some one a certain level of enjoyment keeps my head in the game. It also opens me up to other modeling subjects. I built a 1/700 USCG Dallas for my father in law who retired from the Coast Guard. I built an S2F Tracker and a C-47 for my father and a '68 Firebird for my sister. When I first started modeling, I never would have considered the ship or the car, they just simply didn't interest me. But when I realized my art work could be useful to other people, I opened my mind to other possibilites.

Any way, I find I model much slower, and with less enthusiasm when I model for myself. Its even worse when some one gives me a model as a gift of something completely out of the ordinary, like the Godzilla kit I received 3 christmases ago. Its still sitting untouched on my shelf. 

I don't mean to gab but I have one other point. I noticed that as my skills progressed, I have become more excited to model. Its fun to try new techniques and produce a quality finish which wouldn't have been possible for me several years ago. Learning how to get decals to settle nicely, how to do an appropriate wash, how to dry brush, etc, gives me the confidence to carry on when before I might have set the model aside for a while. So as I get better, my motivation increases as well.

 Jon

Your stash is growing, that's always good...right?? LOL

 I know, I have the same issue sometimes. I'll go along fine, but once I reach a certain point, I love interest.

 One thing that keeps me on track though is having a goal. Right now, I am finishing a GB for another site, and that has a deadline. Unfortunately, I've reached that point I always hate...the decals. So many fiddly little pieces to deal with. Honestly, the building and painting are done...my favorite parts.

I also have an older model on the bench to, which I gave up on earlier. I'm determined to finish it this time, so that (at least) I can say it's done.

I try to find things I want to build to begin with, and then try and plan out my builds accordingly, so I don't get too bored with any one type of model.

The other thing that I try to do is to try new things, processes, etc. That, normally, keeps my interest up.

If that doesn't work, giving models as gifts will keep you motivated.

I have to just work on one kit at a time.  If I start multiple projects one always keeps getting pushed to the side.

Mike

I've quit giving away models I've built for people.  I'll do models for specific organizations though, such as some our club built for the Colorado National Guard.  The last model I built to give as agift went to my German Father in Law.  I built up a Hasegawa 1/32 Me-109, real nice I thought.  It was from a kit my wife bought him a while back.  He liked it and then a few months later he gave it to some kids in Mexico, where he lives, and they promptly destroyed it.  Easy come, easy go.

My motivation just comes from wanting to build,build, build.  Really, nothing else. I can't really explain it.  I've loved plastic modeling as long as I can remember.

Doug

Hmm...interesting question....

I guess I would say that if you're losing interest in projects, that could be a sign of depression.

My motivation is just the joy I get out of finishing the model to completion. I don't know what other motivation I would need?

My motivation comes from the fact that I love to weather my models, so if I get the urge to quit half way through, I just remind myself that it is only a little bit longer till I get to weather, that always keeos me going!

     Thanks, Jim

My motivation comes from my Grundfater who was a driver and later a tank commander for Nazi Germany during WW 2. After the war he left Germany and came to America. I do it for him.

He started out as a tank driver for prototype tanks, later in the war was a tank Driver in Kursk, and Ardennes, and finally finished as a tank commander outside Berlin, defending the fatherland. I am a tank builder and love doing the German stuff of course. But have found my self doing the USA stuff also.

Hans von Hammer wrote:

I've found that if I have to push stay motivated, I probably didn't really want to work on it to begin with...  So, that means that if  don't finish a project, it isn't that big a deal to me..

What Hans said. If the excitement wears off too quickly, I know I shouldn't have started it. I'll chuck it back into the box. It ain't going anywhere and it's not like plastic goes bad.

I also have more than one going at once. I find that when I am "in the groove" I don't want to stop building when I have to wait over night for paint/decals to dry or some such thing. I'll start cutting parts and readying a cockpit, working on roadwheels, etc. Some thing to stay busy.

Regards

the doog wrote:

My motivation is just the joy I get out of finishing the model to completion. I don't know what other motivation I would need?

As soon as I read the title to the thread that was the reason I came up with. No point in say it twice

cwalker3 wrote:

For me, it's a hobby. Period. If I don't feel like working on a piece then I don't. I have several models sitting in various stages of progress and I don't feel bad or stressed about any of them.

I don't over-analize my lack of motivation in the completion of a kit. It usually just means that there's something else I'd rather focus my interests on.

I am going through that right now and haven't built for over 2 months.

I just get this way from time to time, especially in the summer when I seem to spend more time in the garden and so forth and modeling just doesn't appeal to me as much. 

When the fall comes I will probably be motivated again to get back working on this Trumpeter LAV-25 that is collecting dust. 

ruddratt wrote:

I don't over-analize my lack of motivation in the completion of a kit. It usually just means that there's something else I'd rather focus my interests on.

that is my problem. my interests change faster than my modeling. i can be absorbed in u-boats for a month or two and then i pick up a new book and i'm off to the eastern front for a while. for me it's a package; reading, models, wargames, until a new interest pops up. right now i'm building locomotives.

i also think i compare my skills to the 30 year modelers. it's not rational but it's there.

My motivation is school, or, should I say, to get AWAY from school. An hour or so every night I can forget about that stupid test tomorrow. In summer, AMS get's a hold of me. Rivit-countin time!