My motivation:

Love for the job itself (programming). If this first and only requirement is not fulfilled, then all other factors should be to my advantage like, work environment, pay, location, etc because I know that if these secondary requirements are not met, I'd only think about resigning.

For my first and current employer(Been with them for 4 years now) I've been assigned lots of functions; Developer, project lead, bridge engineer, project manager,etc.

But the only time I was happy with work was when I am involved in development. I won't mind staying up till 3 AM everyday c0ding without overtime pay(because sadly I don't have OT pay), or trying to coordinate 8 people to do several projects at the same time. During these time, my mind was constantly churning and chugging on ideas which after it translate into something tangible gives me such job satisfaction.

On the other end of the spectrum, I was stressed when I became bridge engineer(representative onsite) and coordinator(mediator for bosses and clients) and documentation jobs. These jobs did not require me to c0d or anything. Just creating 40 emails a day and making documents and receiving calls and returning calls meetings etc.
I felt my mind going idle as the days went by and on some days it would get me crazy thinking of all those dying neurons. Motivation was at such a record low that it made me realize that I was underpaid and overworked and needed to resign.
Had a talk with bosses that time and they gave me my request that is to be removed from current function and be assigned back to development projects (I don't want to go to pure management right away). So now, from a very easy no-brainer job, I am assigned to a fast paced critical project. Despite the challenge posed by development projects, at the end of the day, I always find things to be proud about. Like helping my members finish something, pushing my members to finish something, letting all the pieces fall into place. These things give me enough reason to remain in a company and be constantly motivated.

-- oops sorry babbling (taking a break since I'm quite tired from lack of sleep but suprisingly not stressed out or burnt out)


/sleep