ebernick The successful man advises his audience to read a specific book, which he read years before, and attributed much of his success to having applied the principles in the book. Why will some go buy the book, but most will not heed his advice?
The business coach tells the group of sales people that he has assisted hundreds of sales people to realise their true sales potential with his 4 month coaching programme, and that he has a very good track record (he also offers a 100% Money Back Guarantee if the sales person does not improve his/her results by 25%). Why will some invest in his programme, but most will make an excuse not to?
Have you ever wondered why people respond differently to the same opportunity or situation? When you unpack it, it really comes down to a person’s motivation. And when you unpack it even further, there are only two reasons you are motivated to do anything. To avoid pain, or to gain pleasure. There you have it.
Everything you do is motivated by the need to avoid pain or to gain pleasure.
I am reminded of the story of a man who walked down the street and as he passed a house with a dog on the porch, he heard the dog moaning. He turned and walked back to ask the people on the porch why the dog is moaning, to which the owner replied that he is lying on a nail. The man then asked the owner why the dog does not move.
“The pain is probably not that bad”, came the reply. I guess the people who did not buy the book or attend the coaching class were not experiencing enough pain in their lives (often called the comfort zone)
What pain do you have in your life? How does it impact on your behavior? Do you have goals to which you have attached pleasure, so that the feelings you will enjoy when you obtain the goal drives you towards achieving it?
Sometimes we have to endure some pain for the sake of delayed pleasure, such as waking up at 05h00 in the morning to go to gym, or refusing that creamy slice of chocolate cake. But if the pain of being overweight is not that bad (like the nail under the dog), then the pleasure of staying in bed, or eating the slice of cake will probably win the day. However, the delayed pain is surely accumulating, and the time will come when that pain will likely motivate you to do start pursuing some health goals.
Jim Rohn reminded us that the price of discipline is ounces, but the price of regret is tons.
I suggest that you use the need to avoid pain (especially delayed pain) and the desire for pleasure to be uppermost in your mind when making important decisions in your life, in order for them to be wise decisions which will ultimately benefit you.
(Written by Eberhard Niklaus)
Copyright 2015
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