This may sound odd coming from me, but pain or discomfort is a big motivator. I consider the consequences if I don't do something. Like in your physics example, pain or discomfort is applying force to a particular object to put it in motion.
Meditation would be a good example with me. There is a major difference in my mental state between when I do meditate and when I don't. I do not like the consequences of not meditating enough that I will sit in meditation whether I want to or not.
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