Can we stop calling things hacks? You're either motivated or you aren't, and if there isn't enough motivation day after day, perhaps it's a sign that you're in the wrong place.
[Disclaimer: I know I am a bit offtopic, but if someone told me what I wrote a year ago, I would be much more happy with my life. I've read tens of motivation/productiveness/get-stuff-done articles whereas what I needed was taking a proper holiday and rethinking my goals]
One technique I use is to think about how I would tackle a task if I were to do it. So you start to break it down, think about the first step, and what would follow. Pretty soon what was an really objectionable undertaking seems achievable and I launch into it.
Yes, there are, but what nhangen is saying is very important - what if someone is in a totally wrong place (for himself), but tricked himself to be motivated to work on something which ultimately doesn't bring him happiness or fulfillment?
If you have to "#11: Reward yourself. Often.", isn't it an indicator that the intrinsic reward is lacking in the activity? Then why trick oneself to spend time on it?
However, we are human, and the most suitable work for an individual is still work, parts will be more painful than others. It's these parts where there can be, let's call them "disciplines" that will help.
"Top 20 C Hacks:
1. Use a variable to store a value.
2. Use named functions to organize your code.
...."
I also agree with you that you have to work with the motivation that's already there. These techniques don't create motivation; they multiply it. On the other hand, intelligence and effort can be applied to anything, so lists like these are helpful for people who want to improve their edge.