Negative Motivation
I personally had a time in my life where I turned to vices because the payoff
was the immediate experience of feeling good, however fleeting that may last, to
avoid certain feelings-- when I think back on it now. It almost seems like I was
under hypnosis at the time. In my case it was alcohol abuse but can certainly extend
out to substance abuse, overeating or alcoholism. The motivation in this case was
negative-- meaning that the behavior came from avoiding pain. Of course, what
happened was that the pain worsened from the original issues to the original issues
plus the new pain of a life disrupted by alcohol.
Positive Motivation
Ultimately, it was positive motivation that has kept me from turning back to any
sort of substance, because it is a stronger driving force for me. And it is also
easier to move toward something I like rather than away from something I don't.
One provides a clear direction to go in, the other doesn't, as the mind cannot think
in terms of a "not" something.
For example, I have had times in my life where I have become utterly fascinated
with learning something. And getting something going, like in the case of going
back to school to finish my postgraduate degree degree and starting a new business.
The motivational factor in this case was positive-- meaning of the behavior
came from gaining something at some future point.
The challenge here is staying motivated.
Motivation Strategy
There are several things I have done to keep myself going. It is not one tip,
technique or idea -- it is several things in combination. Here is what I have found
works well:
- Have a clear plan-- but don't be afraid to change it. Remember, it is the
outcome you are after, not the "how" of getting there.
- Hang out with like minded people-- being sure they have a good level of self-esteem
(not too high or too low).
- Keep educating yourself and find ways to continually reignite the spark --
take a seminar or similar sort of program, go online and find a workshop or class.
- Sign up to see a motivational speaker.
- Don't be afraid to fail or make mistakes along the way. I know, I've had this
image of myself as needing to be perfect and never make a mistake, and it simply
not how it works. As most any millionaire will tell you, man or woman, they have
been bankrupt at some point in time along the way. Look at Donald Trump-- he's
been there several times.
- Get daily reminders of what you are working toward... sign up for a newsletter
if possible, that will give you continual reminders and information.
- Get some personal coaching on a regular basis to help guide you.
Growth, personal or otherwise, always comes from the interaction with others.
Sitting at home and reading a book can be useful, but will never provide the emotional
and mental stimulation you need to stay on course in the long run. It does not require
an advanced degree in psychology to figure this out, just using simple common sense
will do. Just like exercising muscles makes them stronger, exercising interaction
and the continual doing of what you set out to do will make it more and more likely
that you'll be able to achieve which are after.
It has become very simple to 
