Demotivators

 

In the late ’80s and early ’90s when I worked in the corporate world, I would sometimes encounter motivational posters. You know, the ones with a photo with a black border with some motivational slogan about teamwork or some other ostensibly desirable trait. After seeing them a few times, it became tedious, and in later years I discovered “Demotivators,” cynical yet very funny imitations of the originals. Here are a few faves, including one with my late lab, Buster. Yes, there are do it yourself demotivator meme factories.

Please share any favorites or make a new one.

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  1. The Scarecrow Thatcher
    The Scarecrow
    @TheScarecrow

    One of my favorites says:

    “Hard work always pays off eventually, but laziness pays off right now”.

    • #1
  2. Tex929rr Coolidge
    Tex929rr
    @Tex929rr

    The Scarecrow (View Comment):
    Hard work always pays off eventually, but laziness pays off right now”

    • #2
  3. Arvo Inactive
    Arvo
    @Arvo

    I got one of their calendars for Christmas a few years ago.

    EDIT:  And hung it at my desk at work.  It was a hit.

    • #3
  4. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    This is a good topic. I never had much trouble with motivation mostly because of the negative effects described in comment #1. I’m not the most orderly person though except within my mind, externally I’m somewhat disordered in terms of material objects. My children don’t lack motivation either and have done ok in my view. Material orderliness is not a strong suit with any of them though, they are worse than I am, and their disorderliness causes me to not want to overstay my time in their presence.

    Now, societal disorder seems to be on today’s menu, although I will not attribute this level of disorder to my offspring, I find this an undesirable condition. What am I missing that will help me understand why what we are witnessing is considered necessary by some? Are we dealing with some form of misplaced motivation or just ignorance?

    • #4
  5. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    I can’t think of any, but thank you for giving me a chuckle today. I needed that!

    • #5
  6. Arvo Inactive
    Arvo
    @Arvo

    https://despair.com/collections/demotivators

    • #6
  7. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    I HEARTILY ENDORSE this one:

    Competence

    • #7
  8. Amy Schley, Longcat Shrinker Coolidge
    Amy Schley, Longcat Shrinker
    @AmySchley

    Ah, demotivators.com, how I love thee…

    These are the ones already in my images. 

    • #8
  9. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    One of my favorites:

    • #9
  10. tigerlily Member
    tigerlily
    @tigerlily

    Amy Schley, Longcat Shrinker (View Comment):

    Ah, demotivators.com, how I love thee…

    These are the ones already in my images.

    Sheesh, this post is right up your alley.

    • #10
  11. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    I bought a Despair poster for my wife’s birthday.  It says, “Sloth is my spirit animal.”

     

    • #11
  12. Goldgeller Member
    Goldgeller
    @Goldgeller

    These are pretty cool! I got some chuckles. 

    • #12
  13. Misthiocracy got drunk and Member
    Misthiocracy got drunk and
    @Misthiocracy

    • #13
  14. Tex929rr Coolidge
    Tex929rr
    @Tex929rr

    • #14
  15. RPD Inactive
    RPD
    @RPD

    Couldn’t insert photo properly, gave up.

    • #15
  16. Eridemus Coolidge
    Eridemus
    @Eridemus

    What about the alternatives that used to be on cars when the “baby on board” stickers were on other cars?

    Not that they were all that creative, but “Accountant on board” etc. used to amuse me. Meanwhile the best Facebook targeted thing I’ve seen this week (don’t have the graphic):

    DEFUND THE PRESS

    • #16
  17. WilliamDean Coolidge
    WilliamDean
    @WilliamDean

     

    • #17
  18. Ansonia Member
    Ansonia
    @Ansonia

    My favorite one is the sinking boat  for “mistakes”. But I love all of them.

    • #18
  19. OccupantCDN Coolidge
    OccupantCDN
    @OccupantCDN

     

    This is my favorite of these kinda images:

     

    • #19
  20. PJ Inactive
    PJ
    @PJ

    This is my favorite. 

    • #20
  21. JustmeinAZ Member
    JustmeinAZ
    @JustmeinAZ

    I used to keep this tacked to the wall of my cubicle but I had to take it down whenever the big bosses came around.

    Dilbert by Scott Adams | Dilbert comics, Comic strips, Scott adams

    • #21
  22. CarolJoy, Above Top Secret Coolidge
    CarolJoy, Above Top Secret
    @CarolJoy

    Bob Thompson (View Comment):

    This is a good topic. I never had much trouble with motivation mostly because of the negative effects described in comment #1. SNIP

    Now, societal disorder seems to be on today’s menu, although I will not attribute this level of disorder to my offspring, I find this an undesirable condition. What am I missing that will help me understand why what we are witnessing is considered necessary by some? Are we dealing with some form of misplaced motivation or just ignorance?

    This piece was written by a FB friend, a young woman whose wisdom floored me as I read it. She is asking and answering questions like yours. Her name is Carlie Hayes:

    “Sorry this is long.

    “This is far more than a racial issue or law enforcement issue. The base of this movement wants a mass change in our government and country. They have a huge base pushing this change: current events are just deflection from the real agenda, pure socialism. Open your eyes to the big picture of what they want. To win a war you have to win the smaller battles first, and right now they’re winning.

    “Raise your kids right, spend time with your family, study history and government, vote and keep your morals and faith steadfast. Be a good parent. This is a whole generation of people whose parents gave them everything, always got a participation trophy and an allowance for doing nothing, wanting to continue their lifestyle they had when they were kids instead of growing up and there’s A LOT of them. They are brats having a massive group tantrum. There’s been no one to correct them or teach them.

    “Study up on your local officials. Put as much effort into voting for them as you do your president. Otherwise these “kids” are going to be running the household. It’s time to get back to family and faith to restore us. It is SCARY to see what’s happening because our government is doing nothing to stop them. That’s what everyone should be worried about. It’s going to take the the people to stand up if our government doesn’t.

    “The Roman Senate used the “mob” to push agendas just as our politicians are using these people. History is repeating itself. We are in an era of upheaval. The scariest part is our government is doing nothing about it. That’s what is worrisome. It’s going to take the people to stand against this malice which is getting so far out of hand. I hope it fizzles out and will continue to pray for everyone on both sides, but I’m tired of explaining things to my son. This is not the world I want him grow up in. But through adversity and suffering comes compassion and strength, I hope his generation is the next great generation. I will do my best as a mother to make it that way.”

    • #22
  23. Vince Guerra Inactive
    Vince Guerra
    @VinceGuerra
    • #23
  24. Vince Guerra Inactive
    Vince Guerra
    @VinceGuerra

    I used to make them my computer desktops. For years this one was on the cover of my schedule book that my employees would have to put their time-off requests into:

    • #24
  25. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    I used to keep this tacked to the wall of my cubicle but I had to take it down whenever the big bosses came around.

    Dilbert by Scott Adams | Dilbert comics, Comic strips, Scott adams

     

     

    Still my all-time favorite Dilbert:

    • #25
  26. PaulInLeesburg Coolidge
    PaulInLeesburg
    @PaulInLeesburg

    Despair.com is one of the great comedic “send-ups” of all time.  Successories is an institution that demands to be parodied and made fun of.  I co-authored this one with a friend many years ago.

    • #26
  27. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    PaulInLeesburg (View Comment):

    Despair.com is one of the great comedic “send-ups” of all time. Successories is an institution that demands to be parodied and made fun of. I co-authored this one with a friend many years ago.

    I can’t seem to recognize those faces.  Maybe it’s the hats.

    • #27
  28. PaulInLeesburg Coolidge
    PaulInLeesburg
    @PaulInLeesburg

    I think they are all British actresses who we’ve all seen in something that we can’t remember.

    • #28
  29. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    PaulInLeesburg (View Comment):

    I think they are all British actresses who we’ve all seen in something that we can’t remember.

    Maybe that’s it.  Seems like it would have been funnier if they were Pelosi et al, but then the “nanny” part might not come through properly…

    • #29
  30. MiMac Thatcher
    MiMac
    @MiMac

    Despair.com is great I love a lot of their products. They had T shirts- my favorite is (in large letters)                  DON’T WORRY
    I AM RIGHT BEHIND YOU

    ( small letters).                using you as a shield

    • #30
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