Which one motivates you more?

[2nd_chance]

Compliments and encouragement are nice to receive. Of course, they don't provide the true motivation. That comes from within and is more dedication than motivation. Still, a compliment can provide an extra layer to make you push a little harder. My question: which motivates you more, compliment/encouragement from someone close (e.g., SO), or a casual friend or stranger? Me, I would definitely say someone close, although it's very rare that I receive it. What about you?

[billb7581]

I don't know, I'll let you know when/if it ever happens.

[-=FLEX=-]

I get motivated more when people I know tell me I can't achieve something.

SRS

Compliments from strangers and people I know are certainly nice, but I don't find them motivating at all.

[kjake55]

I don't know if motivation is the right word but it's nice when someone close to you acknowledges your hard work, effort and results.

[paolo59]

When a complete stranger takes notice of what I've achieved in the gym, at the checkout of the grocery store, or standing in line at the tag agency, etc. that is just icing on the cake for me. Don't need it, and it's not like I hear it all the time, but it's nice when it happens. I've got this 'gym thing' bad! Ha ha I'll keep pounding away til' I can't anymore, whether anyone ever says a word or not!

[2nd_chance]

I don't know, I'll let you know when/if it ever happens.

Keep us updated bro... It'll happen.

[ArchAngel'73]

Sorry to say but if I do not consider them an equal in the gym or on the stage people's compliments generally mean jack sh*t to me.
The strangers don't know what I'm doing and what I need to do, my close ones always blow sunshine up my azz because they don't know what I NEED to look like and cannot comprehend it.
I already know I'm big, I already know I'm getting leaner, I already know I can move weight...that's what I set out to do, why do I need compliments for achieving 1/2 my goal?

So, I guess ITT, I favor approval from strangers (the judges).

[dbx]

Without a doubt, people who don't know me. People close to us often don't seen signs of change, as it happens so gradually. But when a perfect stranger (or casual acquaintance) says something, it somehow feels like an unsolicited and honest statement.

[ljimd]

I voted strangers. The other day I did a double front bicep pose for the wife and asked her how I looked. Her response - "You need a haircut".

[FlaIronMind]

I voted for "stranger" as well. It's happened several times and, as others have already said so well, it's just icing on the cake, but totally inconsequential to me in the scheme of things.

[geer_matt]

A. Someone close
B. casual friend/stranger
C. Slutty girls

I choose "C"

[induced_drag]

Interesting topic.

I would say some one close....but then there is the predisposition that they know you may like it and they also know the amount of work you put in.

With strangers, there is no motivation to please...or predisposed ideas. If they notice your arms....its because they are notable.

On a funny note....it is usually the insults I get from my wife that motivate me the most. Here are some of her best:

- At night some times when I roll on my side...she gets mad and says "Your back is like a wall, I cant even get close to you".

-When she tries to lay on me lately...she complains "there is nothing soft on you any more!" "You are uncomfortable" "There is not even any soft areas on your a@@" (she likes to pinch)

-The got the best insult recently(compliment as I took it) ....I came down from the gym all pumped and she said...."You look like a frickin gorilla....dont you think you are big enough?!" I thought to myself.....now that is what I am talking about! .... Then said..."No honey, I probably wont get much bigger" Gonna push even harder next workout now!

So there you go..... it is insults by those close to me that motivate me the most!

[2nd_chance]

A. Someone close
B. casual friend/stranger
C. Slutty girls

I choose "C"

My bad on the omission from the list.

[Corbi]

Without a doubt, people who don't know me. People close to us often don't seen signs of change, as it happens so gradually. But when a perfect stranger (or casual acquaintance) says something, it somehow feels like an unsolicited and honest statement.

I'd say casual acquaintance since a stranger would have no clue what I looked like before. I got a really great compliment a few months back from a co-worker, we rented an office closer to town a couple yrs ago and except for my boss all the office personale moved there and we rarely see them. Had a visit from one of the guys and his 1st comment to me was something along the lines of "holy **** dude, your traps are getting huge".....yea baby I loved it.

[Corbi]

-The got the best insult recently(compliment as I took it) ....I came down from the gym all pumped and she said...."You look like a frickin gorilla....dont you think you are big enough?!" I thought to myself.....now that is what I am talking about! .... Then said..."No honey, I probably wont get much bigger" Gonna push even harder next workout now!

My wife uses the word "lumpy" to describe it. Instead of saying muscles or whatever she says "you're getting lumpy".

[BillReilly]

For me it is unadulterated hatred. Before my workout, I spend the drive home working up a seething blind rage.

[-=FLEX=-]

My wife uses the word "lumpy" to describe it. Instead of saying muscles or whatever she says "you're getting lumpy".

NO WAY!

Lisa says the same thing to me: "You're all Lumpy-Bumpy"

I think she likes it.

[FlaIronMind]

My wife uses the word "lumpy" to describe it. Instead of saying muscles or whatever she says "you're getting lumpy".

NO WAY!

Lisa says the same thing to me: "You're all Lumpy-Bumpy"

I think she likes it.

Srs, my wife says the same thing and will also use the word "poofy."

[cowboybiker]

Casual friends and strangers.

My wife always compliments me.

[pvsampson]

Srs, my wife says the same thing and will also use the word "poofy."

In this country,"poofy" would be a serious insult to a hetero male.

I love the language differences we have!!

[paolo59]

In this country,"poofy" would be a serious insult to a hetero male.

I love the language differences we have!!

LMAO Depending upon context, it would be here as well!

[FlaIronMind]

In this country,"poofy" would be a serious insult to a hetero male.

I love the language differences we have!!

LMAO Depending upon context, it would be here as well!

Yes, it could be here as well. Lulz.

[Karl_Hungus]

Compliments from strangers and people I know are certainly nice, but I don't find them motivating at all.

^^ This ... doesn't do anything for me.

[chodan9]

like Kevin said the compliments from those close are hard to come by because they are close and dont tend to notice the changes as readily.
But IMO thats what makes them more valuable, they are more rare.
btw my wife saw my back if a pic recently and said I was looking like something large was growing under my skin, I said "it is! MUSCLES!"

[kimm4]

Being able to compliment myself would be the biggest motivation of all. I am my own worst critic. I've spent more time looking for flaws and less time appreicating what I've built so far.

Compliments from anyone else don't really matter to me.

[djflex]

Voted stranger with large boobs..

[Brackneyc]

Being able to compliment myself would be the biggest motivation of all. I am my own worst critic. I've spent more time looking for flaws and less time appreicating what I've built so far.

This^^

[dbx]

like Kevin said the compliments from those close are hard to come by because they are close and dont tend to notice the changes as readily.

I'd have been happier if the question was phrased differently. That is, compliments from anyone don't really motivate me. It's just nice when it's an unsolicited comment form someone who doesn't have to know what you looked like before. They're simply affirming that "you" look good now.

Not trying to over-dissect, but questions like this often end up getting silly disagreements, and for the wrong reasons . I'll take compliments from anyone, but only if I believe them to be sincere. As for motivation? That's on me, like Kim just said.

[StressMonkey]

I get motivated more when people I know tell me I can't achieve something.

I don't think that you could give me a thousand dollars.

[Brackneyc]

I don't think that you could give me a thousand dollars.

<------writing a check as we speak....