“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”
– Dr. Seuss
Our motivation is directional, impacting the results we create and the ease in which we create them. Think about when you are motivated to do something. Are you motivated more by what you want to get away from or what you want to move toward?
TOWARD motivation moves us toward more of what we desire while AWAY from motivation is an attempt to get us away from circumstances/feelings that are causing discomfort. Let’s consider some examples. Say you decided to jump into a relationship because you were sick of feeling sad, lonely, or scared. Or perhaps you began exercising because you hate the way you look and feel. Those choices are both based heavily on away from motivation, which typically does not sustain our motivation or inspire us. Away from motivation feels more like a have-to or a should.
Whereas toward motivation feels like an empowered choice. Say you chose to leave a relationship or job because you want to experience more confidence, freedom and faith in yourself. Or you join a gym because you want to feel invigorated, strong and healthy. Notice the difference? When we focus more on what we want to move toward rather that what we want to get away from, often decisions become clearer and easier to commit to.
Most decisions will have a little of both toward and away from motivation; however, one or the other will usually be in the lead. I encourage you to focus on creating more TOWARD motivation in your life. If you look in the direction you want to go instead of over your shoulder at where you’ve been, you will discover greater clarity, confidence and discernment. Furthermore, you will be less likely to make decisions based on fear, sadness, anxiety or overwhelm since those feelings produce away from motivation.
Fondly,
Christine
Christine Hassler supports individuals in discovering the answers to the questions: “Who Am I, What do I want, and How do I get it?” Christine grew up in Dallas, graduated cum laude from Northwestern University and received her Masters Degree in Psychology from the University of Santa Monica. She is now a Life Coach with a counseling emphasis specializing in relationships, career, finances, self-identity, personal and spiritual growth. Her expertise is centered on the twenty and early thirty something years of life. Christine has authored two books: Twenty-Something, Twenty-Everything: A Quarter-life Woman’s Guide to Balance and Direction and The Twenty-Something Manifesto. As a professional speaker, Christine leads seminars and workshops to audiences around the country. She has spoken to over 10,000 college students as well as to conferences and corporations about generational diversity. Christine has appeared as an expert on The Today Show, CNN, ABC, CBS, FOX, E!, Style and PBS, as well as various local television and radio shows, speaking about life issues and “Expectation Hangovers®” – a phenomenon she identified and trademarked.
Christine is the spokesperson for Zync from American Express and the key resource for their Quarterlife Program, which empowers young people to take control of their finances. She also created a life balance curriculum for the Leadership Institute and is a member of Northwestern University’s Council of 100. Beginning this fall, Christine will serve on the faculty of the University of Santa Monica.
You can connect with Christine on Facebook, through Twitter or at her website.