Personally, the only thing that motivates me when the work is uninteresting is knowing that someone is expecting it. That's why I'm much less prone to procrastination on work I do for people than at college assignments.
Blocking sites never helps, I can entertain myself staring at a blank wall.
I do minimize external distractions (IM, SMS, etc), but that's because they annoy me even when I'm interested in the work. I don't know how people can stand all those notifications popping up.
the only thing that motivates me when the work is uninteresting is knowing that someone is expecting it.
I find that to be a real problem in the workplace. An awful lot of employers/managers seem to think that they simply have to hire engineers, and everything will sort itself out. No clear focus or direction is provided, and no feedback is given on tasks completed. Soon, one feels that all work is going into a black hole, the engineer(s) become disinterested, and end up leaving.
I do minimize external distractions (IM, SMS, etc), but that's because they annoy me even when I'm interested in the work. I don't know how people can stand all those notifications popping up.