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Ask Dr. Dopolis - (November 7, 2000)

Dr. Dopolis is our on-staff "Technology Psychotherapist." Dr. Dopolis helps heal the relationships between users and their technology. We consider him one of the top (not to mention the only) Technology-Psychotherapists in the world.

One reader writes . . .

Dear Dr. Dopolis,

I don’t know what’s happening, but I seem to have lost my motivation. The first thing I want to do as I walk in the door from work is to just plop down on the couch. And now that I have ActiveHome, and DVD/MP3 Anywhere, all I want to do is sit and watch TV and listen to music. With the ActiveHome remote I can control my lights without getting up, and with Entertainment Anywhere I’ve got my music, my VCR and TV all on a remote. The only thing I have to leave the couch for anymore is another beer, or maybe to get a TV dinner out of the freezer and put it into the microwave. What am I going to do, as I seem to have lost my motivation?

Signed:

Remotely Unmotivated!

Dear Unmotivated,

Yours is quite a dilemma. Finding motivation can be one of the most difficult things we humans face. There’s an old saying that we Technological Psychologists often use, "It’s not what people can do that makes them stand out, it’s what they will do." Most of us suffer to a certain degree with inertia, but when it gets to the point that you don’t want to do anything, then it’s time to call in the big guns.

I noticed that you spend a lot of time on the couch. You spend a long day at work, you come home, grab all the remotes, throw them on the coffee table, and that’s how you relate to the world. Your problem is that you have no real goals to speak of. What you need is something that you can feel a part of - that helps create goals and motivation. Here’s what I think must happen.

My first suggestion would be to invite some friends over on a weekend for a movie night with your DVD Anywhere. Have a potluck. Fix something eye catching and tasty to eat. Serve appetizers and drinks. While you’re all mingling, play some MP3 files on your MP3 Anywhere. This will impress your friends, and you can enjoy company while doing something worthwhile, like investing in friendships and relationships.

Try and find a hobby. What do you like to do? If you can, enlist the help of a buddy, and the two or more of you can get together for a game night, or go out to play somewhere around town. You could even plan ski weekends or take a trip out of town.

And finally, volunteer in your community. You will not believe the incredible amount of satisfaction you will give both yourself and those you volunteer for. Nothing boosts motivation more than being part of something. Especially if that something is bigger than you.

Enjoy the remotes. They’re there to make your life a little easier, but don’t forget that there’s a lot going on out there in the world.

And Remember, technology is your friend.

Dr. Dopolis.

If you have a question for Dr. Dopolis, then send him an email at  xzone@x10.com