A reminder of the importance of pleasure and pain
Do you prefer pain or pleasure?
And which one is most likely to help you get things done?
You see….
We humans are quite simple creatures really.
There are only 2 things that motivate you to take action.
Pain
and
Pleasure.
If you think about it, pretty much everything you do is motivated by one of these elements, or sometimes both of them.
Let’s look at some examples.
Do you…
Buy your new car because you simply love the new model (pleasure) or because your old car doesn’t work anymore (pain)?
Choose the steak on the menu because it is your favourite dish (pleasure) or because you don’t like anything else on the menu(pain)?
Write your monthly report because you really enjoy writing reports (pleasure) or because you’ll lose your job if you don’t do it ! (pain)?
So like I said…
Your actions are always driven by pain or pleasure or a combination of both.
And now the really important question….
Which one is the most effective when it comes to motivating yourself and others?
Well of course this depends on the task you are trying to find the motivation to achieve.
But generally….
For those bigger tasks? Those tasks that logically you know you should do but for some reason haven’t quite managed it.
(things like eating healthier, reducing stress in your life, not working so hard, spending more quality time with your family, etc)….
I find it’s often pain that gets people started.
In other words, waiting and waiting until things get so bad you are forced to take action.
And once the pain has given you that all-important kick in the a**, it’s then pleasure that maintains the motivation.
You realise your new habit is benefitting you.
You feel the benefits.
You want more of it.
So my question to you is this…
How can you use a more balanced combination of pain and pleasure motivators to help you take positive actions before the pain gets too bad?
Well, you can start by asking these 2 key motivation questions…
If I do this, how will it benefit me and others?
If I don’t do this, what could it cost me and others?
And that second question can be especially good at giving you the kick start you need, before things get too bad
So I’m off to use a good balance of pleasure and pain motivators and to always remember to ask myself the 2 key motivation questions.
How about you?
To your happiness and fulfillment.
Steve Neale
“Europe’s Leading Expert on Personal and Professional Growth”
Psychologist, Executive Coach, EI Practitioner, Award Winning Trainer, International Author, Psychodynamic Therapist, Hypnotherapist, Mindfulness Instructor, International Speaker, Creator of the LPS, Creator of the Accredited Masters in High Performance Leadership
