Our whole life, when lifting heavy objects, we were taught to use the correct posture to avoid injuries. That also applies to work. If we have the wrong “mental posture”, we will harm ourselves. Where does our motivation to work come from?
Emotion is the main driving force of behavior. You can’t spell “Emotion” without “motion”. If we perform an action that leads to positive emotions, our motivation to do the same next time will increase. Let’s look at the dolphins in Ocean Park jumping out of the water in performances day after day. This behavior continues because after the dolphins complete this behavior, they are fed fish. The fish makes the dolphins happy. That is their motivation to repeat that behavior. There is another way for emotions to drive us: if the result of the behavior reduces the negative emotions, it will also drive us to that behavior again. Let’s look at the tigers in the circus standing on two legs, all according to the instructions of their trainer. There is no steak as a reward afterward, but why do the tigers still do it? Because if they don’t, they will be whipped by the trainer. Being whipped naturally leads to painful emotions. Tigers repeat the behavior of standing on two legs to avoid the negative emotions caused by being punished.
Ask yourself. When you work hard for your goal, what is the force that drives you? Is it the positive emotions upon completing your tasks, including a sense of satisfaction and ability? Or is it just the negative emotions that you can avoid by completing your tasks, such as shame, humiliation, fear of punishment and fear of losing your livelihood?
For the same behavior, the driving force can be due to positive or negative emotions. I call the former the good motivation, while the latter is the bad motivation.
Why is it a bad motivation? In the long run, if the motivation for doing things every day is just to avoid greater pain, the result will be like carving negative thoughts on the stone wall in the head. Thoughts such as “I am incompetent”, “I will always be a slave,” and “Life is an endless chase,” etc. If things go on, world-hating negative thoughts will arise.
We need to be especially careful about the bad motivation. The bad power is so explosive and so easy to use. Just imagine, when would a person run faster? When there is a fire behind them, or when someone is delivering gifts in front. The motivation to run from bad things is far greater than the motivation to pursue good things. But if we fall into temptation and get used to being motivated in bad ways, the accumulated long-term costs would be fatal.
Use the good motivation. Don’t fall for short-term explosive power. Strive to become a horse with grit. Strong positive emotions drive the ability to make sustained efforts. Such emotions include a sense of worth, capability, accomplishment, and meaning. Every time you use the good motivation, you will strengthen positive core beliefs, such as “I am capable”, “Many meaningful things are yet to be discovered” and “My efforts can make society progress and improve everyone’s lives” and so on.
Everyone should use the good motivation. How do you do this? First of all, always remind yourself that your work is very meaningful, even if it is never satisfactory. Look at your work from a macro perspective, whether it is providing services (such as catering, education, public services, etc.) or manufacturing products. Just imagine, can society function without your industry? You should remind yourself and even your colleagues every day. Praise yourself more in your heart every day. During work, accept every thanks you get every day. Don’t think that those are just polite empty words. Try switching your perspective. When you receive the goods or services you want, you will feel that the other person’s work is very important and meaningful.
Please use more positive motivation starting today. Become someone motivated. Pursue your academic or professional career. Your perseverance will also bring more positive motivation to the people around you.
Written by: Dr. William Chui
Originally posted on: Mental Health Foundation FB page
Translated by: Cheuk Long Chan
