Thinking differently

There has been a real shift in the way that I have been approaching and tackling problems lately. I used to be unmotivated everyday. (Think procrastination at its worse, I used to spend HOURS doing other things completely unrelated to my work). I used to let little things get me down and I was terribly unorganised. But not anymore...
So, this has had me pondering the reasons why (but not in a procrastination type way :) ).

Could I just be growing up? I am 26 now, but I have a 5 year old so I have been responsible for myself and my family for a while now, so it is probably not age related.

Is it my research? I have just recently started post-graduate studies but I have been working on this project as an RA for almost 2 years. So while my official title has changed, my work hasn't.

I am going to tell you a story about Little Man now.
He is 5 years old and is a clever little thing (even if I do say so myself!). He has a vocabulary that would rival most adults but has never tried hard at anything. If it is perceived as too difficult he won't even attempt it. Last Easter we went on a camping holiday east of Perth. We went on a hike together that was only about 3-4km and he found it really tough. He whinged and complained like nothing else and no one enjoyed themselves that day (particularly Little Man).
On our next camping holiday, last month we went on another hike. This one was around 8km and when we set out I had serious doubts about us finishing it. During the walk we talked about challenges and how worthwhile they are and although they seem difficult at the time the sense of achievement when you finish makes the challenge even more worthwhile. Well my Little Man did the whole thing and barely complained once. And since that day I am proud to say that he has approached the challenges in his life (learning to read, riding his bike, telling the time, more hiking) with the same positive attitude and has made some significant achievements (particularly at school).

I hadn't thought about this in relation to my own challenges until recently. Could his shift in thinking have led to a similar change in mine? I have never been so motivated professionally. I have submitted my first abstract to an international conference and am presenting at two national ones in August. I am almost finished my first paper, and working on another. My research proposal is due soon and I am excited about it! I have never been so organised at work, and at home.

I hope that I can hold on to this positive attitude and be able to remind myself what it feels like, even when things aren't going so well in the lab (please refer me back to this post if necessary!)
I guess I am discovering what Little Man is, overcoming difficulties and facing challenges head on is addictive!

And just as a little aside:
I like this thinking in 10's thing that everyone seems to have going:

In 10minutes: I will back working on my presentation

In 10 hours: Serving very rich people expensive wine and amazing food at Balthazar, in the city - my night job.

In 10 days: I will have finished my presentation and have received back the comments on my paper from my supervisors/collaborators.

In 10 weeks: It will be my husbands birthday and I will be preparing to fly to Melbourne for conferences.

In 10 months: I will know the outcome of 'my big mistake'.

In 10 years: We will have had another baby and built our house and I will be earning a comfortable living because they will have changed the way research is funded in Australia*.

*yeah right.