18th May 2010
"Dwell on the reward, and you move toward it. Dwell on the penalty, and you move away from the reward."
Denis Waitley
When it comes to motivation to do a job, we are driven by two factors - pain and pleasure. Before we do anything in real life, we execute the same in our mind and our mind evaluates the consequence of doing it or not doing it. The consequence could be pain or pleasure. If there is neither a pain or a pleasure of doing a thing, our mind will not be motivated at all and we will not do it.
For example, if we want to jog, either we visualize the advantages of jogging and mentally enjoy the pleasure of being trim and fit. Or we visualize the pain of not jogging and the consequences of the same on us. If we analyze, pleasure is a better motivator than pain. By showing pain as the consequence, we manipulate a person and enforce a set of actions or behavior. Any manipulation will result in only a temporary change. However, a person's attitude can be modified by convincing him of the various benefits he will get by pursuing a particular course of action.
Over this weekend, do a small exercise. Take two projects you have been postponing. In respect of one project, list all the advantages that you will have by doing the same and write them down. For the other project, list all the disadvantages you will have by not doing the same and write down. Think about both the projects and the consequences and repeat this exercise a couple of times. Then notice which project you implement immediately!
N C Sridharan
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