Last week we had several posts on motivation. I love the subject of
motivation because so many people it have completely ass backwards
Let's look at what was posted last week:
"I need a strong technique that can force me
to really take action or
want to do something compulsively."
Whenever I see motivation discussed in this way I just want to slam my head in
the door.
Whenever I read the word "force", I see the word "pain"
Whenever I read the word "compulsively" I see the word "lazy"
The reason for this is that people want to use willpower and force to
overcome obstacles. People want to do with compulsively so that they don't have
to use willpower and force.
This basically breaks down into one simple concept and that concept is that
the person who wants motivation wants to do things the same way they have always
done to but with a lot more effort in hopes that with more effort the same way
they've always done them will finally work.
Does this seem a little misguided to anybody else except me?
Let me tell you why this happens. This happens because most people are too
terrified to actually look at the obstacle that they are trying to overcome.
They think if they build enough positive emotions they will be able to succeed
without ever addressing that obstacle.
That is bullshit :)
The reason that most people do not accomplish things is not because of the
lack of effort. It is because they have never overcome whatever is getting
underway because it is impossible to "overcome it". Even if they were
successfully able to get past the obstacle, it only changes the obstacle. The
obstacle is no longer a wall now it is a weight that they have to drag
around.
Now you have to keep motivated are used pain to force yourself in order to
keep up the strength so you can drag around that obstacle.
So much for the ass backwards way of achieving.
What is the answer?
The answer is to address the obstacle. Instead of motivation use
creativity and adaptability to neutralize the obstacle or use the obstacle to
your advantage. 99% of the time your obstacle is a mental obstacle not a
physical one.
I have found to questions that are incredibly valuable when trying to
identify what the obstacle might be.
How does that obstacle allow me to remain?
What does that obstacle allow me to avoid?
Motivation and willpower are great for running that last half-mile,
climbing the last 10 feet of that cliff, or even learning to shut up when you
want to call your boss and asshole. They may even get you to do a fire walk.
:)
These are momentary expenditures of energy that helped as he wall and
survive in a primitive world. They do not work for extended periods of time in
a modern man's brain.
In a modern man's brain success is achieved by removing obstacles on
allowing energy to flow effortlessly toward your goal. Success is achieved by
adapting to changing situations instead of doing the same thing over and over
again. Success is achieved by realizing there are many ways to get their
instead of the one way that you have been trying.
Motivation, force, compulsion? These are great success tools for a
caveman.
I like processes that eliminate obstacles and clean up your brain so that
works in a more balanced fashion. My favorite tool is of course, the 3-D Mind.
That doesn't mean that is the only tool on the planet. I like the 3-D Mind
because the whole structure and strategy of the 3-D Mind is to remove obstacles
and allow your natural confidence to surface instead of trying to use force and
motivation.
Have fun
Tom
