I was recently asked questions to this effect, specifically around staying motivated and focused in class. Here is my answer:

I find it can be really helpful to first get a sense for our underlying motivation.

In short:

  • Why am I doing this?
  • What excites me in this class?
  • What would I like to learn?

Ultimately motivation comes from within. When you are motivated, I have found that the study takes care of itself. Thankfully, like much of the human experience it can be nurtured.

Personally, I have found the most powerful motivator is curiosity so finding questions that I want to explore drives me to learn each and every day.