How do you stay motivated at a dead end job

Leave. You're never going to get and gratitude or reward for it so stop wasting your time.

You should send your application elsewhere and quit when you find something else.

This might be a bit long, but it might help so I'm going to quote Susan Jeffers from her book "Feel the fear and do it anyway."

"As I started explaining commitment to my class, Sandy, another student, immediately responded that her job was only temporary, until she found something better. In the meantime, she was bored out of her mind and couldn't wait to leave it. Therefore, how could she possibly commit herself to being there 100%? I explained that commitment doesn't mean it has to last forever, but while you are there commit yourself 100%. By doing this, the quality of your life will improve 100%.

I gave her a tool to use on the job to enhance the concept of commitment. This tool is to "act as if" you really count. What would that look like? What would she be doing if she knew she really counted? Some possibilities the class came up with were: creating daily goals and seeing that they were completed, interacting with other staff members in a way that would make their day happier, creating an environment that is a pleasure to work in. She added, "I would also get there on time." Sandy promised she would give it a try after I assured her that committing herself to this job would not mean that she would be there forever.

Sandy returned to class the following week very excited about what had transpired. We were all struck by the increased level of her energry. She reported that she had taken a plant and a painting to work, which immediately brightened her little area. She was complimentary and helpful to the people around her, and each night before she left the office she created goals to complete the following day. As each day progressed, she focused on her goals and was amazed to find she now got twice as much done each day. She got addicted to the act of checking off her goals - it felt so good. When on the rare occasion she didnt get to something on the list, she merely carried it over to the next day.

Sandy was amazed at the response. One of her coworkers actually asked her what she was on, and said, "Whatever it is, continue taking it!" But the magical result was that she actually began to enjoy her job. Participating 100% eliminates boredom. Once Sandy got over her "woe is me" attitude and began to choose to be there 100%, a feeling of satisfaction and aliveness resulted. Her "acting as if" she counts is creating other benefits as well: increased self esteem, a good reference when she finally does move to another job and the realization that she actually can make a difference. This, of course, makes her feel more powerful in a world where so many people feel helpless."

You feel greatful that you have a job at all.
Many people cant work or struggles finding a job. Its much worse to be forced to be at home all day and to not have a salary.
You have nothing to complain about. You can even look for a new job and quit the current job if you get a new one.
Or just quit it right now and you will realize how much better off you were before.

You can't. It's just not possible. I would argue that once you lose motivation in *any* job it can be difficult to gain it back. But a dead end job that you don't enjoy? You're not ever going to be motivated.

You'll have to find something else. If you don't live in a major city, that might be a lot more difficult than it sounds. I'm aware of that, but it's really the only option if you're in an employment slump.

(If you don't have any family to care for, you could always move. That might not be desirable, yet it's still an option.)

If you feel like you have a purpose life, try bring that purpose into your work. For example: making other people laugh is your purpose so you go to work and that's your goal, to make people laugh and that can be motivating. Hope that helped!