What Motivates You - Desire or Fear?
The energy of desire is a powerful motivator and creative force. Yet we must state our desires clearly with the rewards of success in mind.
One of my recent clients had spent six years in a job where he felt unappreciated. Although he had the skills and experience to take other work, he was having trouble leaving his current position. While expressing his frustration, he kept saying, "I can't stand this job!"
Desire and the energy it creates affect our intentions and actions. However, it is important to distinguish between desire motivation and fear motivation. We are either moving toward something we want, or, as my client was, away from something we do not want.
Fear motivation aims to protect and focuses on avoiding penalties for failure. It leads to feelings of inhibition (e.g., "I can't") or compulsion (e.g., "I have to."). Desire motivation seeks rewards for success. It leads to volition (e.g., "I can.") and propulsion (e.g., "I want to.").
Not initially knowing where he would go next, my client was moving "from" an undesired position, mistakenly motivated by penalties for perceived failure. Of course, he had not failed; his job had failed him. The way we express our feelings will shape our beliefs, intentions, and actions, often without our awareness.
My client's initial affirmation, "I can't stand this job," was working to keep him there. The mind is unable to focus on the reverse of an idea. It will delete a negative such as "can't" and move directly to its dominant thought. What he had actually affirmed with strong emotion was, "I stand this job!"
Filled with energetic dislike for his job, he had not only been affirming that he would continue to "stand" his job. He had also intensified his unwanted staying power by mixing strong negative emotion with his words.
He went on to identify the position and job he wanted. Then he began to create statements focusing on rewards for moving to a satisfying and fulfilling position. Within two months, he had acquired a satisfying position with a new company, and, to his delight, an employer who regularly compliments him on his work.
Clearly focus on your desires each day. Ask yourself, "What do I want, exactly?" "What am I moving toward?" Allow your thoughts and words to move you toward your desires with faith in your God-given talents and potential.
For additional information about effectively combining positive emotions with desire, see the article, Affirm Your Intentions - Achieve Your Goals at: http://achieveezine.com/articles/affirmations.shtml
Remember that most successful achievers focus on the rewards of success. Think of one of your strongest desires and imagine what its attainment will make possible for you. The deepest desires of your heart will produce the energy to carry you forward to success. May the rewards of every success that you desire be yours!
© Copyright 2005 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional life success coach, motivational author, and the editor of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular mini-zine bringing great stories, motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts to help you achieve more in your career and personal life. Get the next issue by visiting http://www.AchieveEzine.com
 Google News Updated : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:07:34 GMT Movies opening this week - San Jose Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News - By Mercury News "Burn After Reading" (R): The Coen brothers follow "No Country for Old Men" with a dark comedy about two inept gym employees who get hold of a CD-ROM containing a CIA operative's memoirs. Toronto Review: The Coen Brother's Burn After Reading Pitt Rocks to Madonna Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:56:32 GMT Gates outacts Seinfeld in Back To The Future - CNET News
CNET News - Which is why Crispin Porter Bogusky, the agency responsible for the otherworldly new Microsoft TV spot featuring the clowning Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld, is already happy. Microsoft's Renewed Vista Strategy You Thought Vista Was Bad? Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:01:52 GMT Jenkins: Murray willing to play the spoiler - San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Chronicle - (09-06) 18:24 PDT New York -- Andy Murray must feel very alone just now. He's a long way from his native Scotland. He's carrying the hopes of British tennis, but the London press would really prefer him to be English. Federer beats Djokovic to reach US Open final Split stadiums for US Open semis ruffles crowd Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:44:27 GMT Palin and McCain’s Shotgun Marriage - New York Times
New York Times - By FRANK RICH SARAH PALIN makes John McCain look even older than he is. And he seemed more than willing to play that part on Thursday night. An Apostle of Alaska 'Sarah Palin Is Wasilla': Town Stands Behind VP Pick Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:18:29 GMT European space probe completes asteroid fly by - Reuters
Reuters - BERLIN (Reuters) - The European Space Agency obtained on Saturday the first images of an asteroid 360 million km (224 million miles) from earth, part of a space mission which scientists hope will help them understand the origins of the planets. Rosetta spacecraft takes asteroid photos Spacecraft flies by remote asteroid, camera stops Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:13:31 GMT Report: Samsung working to acquire SanDisk - San Jose Mercury News San Jose Mercury News - AP Samsung was reported Friday to be considering buying Milpitas-based SanDisk, whose revenue has diminished and stock has plummeted in recent months due to the saturated flash-memory market. SanDisk Shares Soar on Samsung Interest SanDisk Shares Surge as Samsung Considers Acquisition (Update3) Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:19:13 GMT Dodgers overtake first place - MLB.com
MLB.com - By Michael Schwartz / MLB.com LOS ANGELES -- Manny Ramirez's five RBIs propelled the Dodgers into first place in the National League West for only the second day all season Saturday after a 7-2 win over the D-backs at Dodger Stadium. Ramirez, Billingsley lead streaking Dodgers into first place Dodgers move into first place Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:14:26 GMT RSS Software |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... It's early January as I sit down to research and... Read More Ah, the couch potato, that icon of American pop culture... Read More Think about what you're doing each day and ask yourself... Read More You've probably heard the phrase, "Idle hands are the devil's... Read More A few years back, the ex-recording artist, turned Pastor, turned... Read More "Things is either done, or they ain't done." Marlon SandersSome... Read More This article exemplifies the inner working of emotional intelligence. Effectively... Read More What impact would it have on your professional and personal... Read More If you really want to be at your absolute peak... Read More "M" is for Motivation.What motivates you to do a good... Read More How often have we heard ourselves complaining about how unlucky... Read More When Paul first arrived in Corinth in the middle of... Read More Here is a basic truth you must accept and believe... Read More "Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at... Read More Be careful what you believe because that is what you... Read More Everyone wants something in life, love, money, success, recognition ...... Read More One of the most challenging things about starting on a... Read More Listen to win SalesVery few people are good listeners. In... Read More Elizabeth Tull is a Professional Excellence Coach who lives with... Read More I hope you're having an AWESOME week!Let me first say... Read More For over 20 years I have been fascinated by the... Read More It is just amazing the amount of people who don't... Read More It never fails. Another new year approaches. You watch that... Read More A King was trying to choose between three maidens to... Read More Against all odds. I think that should be the motto... Read More
Adsense
websites
Procrastination Emancipation
Celebrating the Couch Potato
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone - Before Its Too Late
Why Idle Hands Create Stagnation in Our Lives
If I Had 24 Hours To Live
Motivation By Facing Facts
If You Are Rejected!
The Thrivers Secrets to Success?: It Starts With Your Attitude - Get a Grip and Go®!
To Boost Your Brain, Move That Body!
Are You in Touch With Your Inner M?
Rules To Live Life By
Christian Gladiators? Athletics as a Metaphor for the Christian Lifestyle
Your Dream Can Be Your Future
Make The Most Of Today
How Great is the Strength of Your Belief?
Getting What You Really Want
Getting Started is the Toughest Part of the Job
Listening Skills
Living Outside the Lines of Normal and Reasonable
Success Secrets - Achieving Ultimate Success
Why To Dump Will Power And Get Motivated The Easy Way
Develop Guts to Achieve Glory
How to Make Bite Size Resolutions for 2005
The Story Of A King And Three Maidens ? Six Keys To A Successful Relationship
Life Issues Pt.2 - Against All Odds
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
No Regrets
MY FOUR-MINUTE DANCING CAREERA few years ago, I decided to... Read More
Its My Blankey and Im Keeping It!
"Blankey" ? as in Security Blankey. OK? All parents know... Read More
How To Overcome Procrastination Quickly And Easily
Maybe it is time to discover a new way to... Read More
Have A Crack!
For everyone the New Year is now in full swing.... Read More
Courage and Fear
Mark Twain once said, "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery... Read More
How to Use the Power of Words to Your Benefit - Part II
A friend of mine read the article, How to Use... Read More
Motivation; 7 Musings on Motivation
1. Most of us are motivated by one of two... Read More
Frustration, Isolation, Overwhelm
Whether you've been in business for yourself for a day... Read More
The Conversation of Recovery - Part Two
The listening for the Conversation of possibilities will be even... Read More
How To Deal With Denial
Denial is a coping mechanism commonly used when something happens... Read More
Celebrating the Couch Potato
Ah, the couch potato, that icon of American pop culture... Read More
Are You Lacking Self-Discipline? - Part 1
A man does not live until he begins to discipline... Read More
Does Your Battery Need Recharging?
A technical support person in a pager company tells the... Read More
Motivation By Daily Applause
One of our most powerful psychological needs is the craving... Read More
Want Real Change in Your Life? Take Action!
It's easy to begin a year with analysis: months, days... Read More
Courage
"Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up... Read More
Book Summary: If Life is a Game, These are the Rules
This #1 New York Times bestseller offers some useful and... Read More
Stop Procrastination--Just Do It!
In this article I'll talk about the reason that stops... Read More
Don?t Let Motivation Cause You to Fail
Yesterday my teenage son Matt came home with a less... Read More
Discover The Upside of Anger
Most of us are prone to anger! As we grow... Read More
Raising The Bar
One of the most popular events in the Olympics is... Read More
Death by Overwork: Motivationally Speaking Its a Zero
The Japanese have a word for death by overwork: Karoshi.... Read More
This Emotion Is As Helpful As Ali-Baba And His Forty Thieves!
Are you afraid of your own best ideas? Do you... Read More
The Missing Piece
Have you ever tried putting a puzzle together, only to... Read More
Getting What You Really Want
Everyone wants something in life, love, money, success, recognition ...... Read More
Motivation |