Should You Fear Failure or Strive for Success

Summary

The article argues that fear is a more potent motivator than desire due to its intensity and evolutionary purpose in protecting us from danger.

Abstract

The article "Should You Fear Failure or Strive for Success" delves into the psychology of motivation, suggesting that fear outweighs desire as a driving force. It explains that motivation stems from our reasoning, which is influenced by our emotions, primarily fear and desire. Fear, with its ability to trigger a strong physiological response, is seen as the more intense emotion, evolutionarily designed to ensure survival. The article provides strategies for harnessing fear as a motivator, such as familiarizing oneself with fears, practicing fear generation to become comfortable with it, and using fear to maintain motivation during challenging times. By understanding and embracing fear, individuals can leverage it to push beyond their comfort zones and achieve their goals.

Opinions

Fear is considered a more powerful motivator than desire because it elicits a stronger emotional response and survival instinct.
The article posits that fear not only motivates individuals to avoid negative outcomes but also to move towards positive ones.
Desire is seen as less effective because it only drives us towards comfort, not away from discomfort.
To utilize fear effectively, one should first identify and understand their fears, recognizing both rational and irrational aspects.
The practice of fear generation is recommended to build awareness and comfort with the sensation of fear, enabling better management during real-life situations.
The article suggests that by focusing on fear-based reasons for action, individuals can find a deeper and more sustainable form of motivation.

Which one’s the better motivator?

It’s no mystery we all need motivation.

Motivation by its definition means

a reason or a set of reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way.

So the fuel behind our motivation lies in the reasoning behind it. And our reasoning is guided by our emotions. And we can credit our reasoning to really only two emotions, fear & desire.

Fear & Desire → Reasoning → Motivation

The question is which one’s the better motivator. Should you take a good look at what failure is and fear it? Or should you have a deep desire and passion for success and use that to fuel you?

The answer is… (drum roll) Fear

In terms of intensity of emotions, fear rises above all. Fear acts scientifically as the most potent motivator as its evolutionary purpose is to act as a responsive system to protect ourselves from danger. When the fear centre of our brain, the amygdala, is stimulated, it prompts the release of physiological changes that aid in our survival which overpower all other forms of reasoning.

How to use Fear for Motivation

Fear motivates us to move away from an uncomfortable situation while also moving closer to a comfortable situation. Desire only motivates us to move towards a comfortable situation. This is why fear trumps desire.

Familiarize yourself with your fears

What does failure look like to you? Is it begging on the street? Losing all your friends? Getting an A-? What does it look like to fail? Then saturate your mind with what that failure looks like. What it feels like. Go a step further and list your fears. Most you will find are irrational and seem silly. But the ones that are genuine and serious get to know their sources. Why do you have them? Take a genuine fear from your list and look at the opposite end of the spectrum. Look at the potential and capacity you have for happiness that you’re missing out on.

2. Try fear generation to get comfortable with fear

Sit down, close your eyes and try to generate fear. Familiarize yourself with it. When embodying fear, you’ll notice certain changes. Maybe your heartbeat quickens. Maybe you feel hot and start to sweat. Maybe you start to shake. Whatever the symptoms, acknowledge their presence and try to even counteract them. Slow your breath, relax your muscles, close your eyes. This process is how you build awareness.

By practicing your awareness of fear and getting comfortable with it, when you experience fear for real, you’ll know how to face it and use it.

3. Practice fear motivation

When you face dips in motivation (and you will), tap into your established fears. Why are you working at your job? Why are you investing time in your business? Why are you working on that skill? Focus on your fear-based purpose, and the motivation you’ll get will help you persevere and build your resilience.

The practice of fear motivation requires effort and care. But it allows you to tap into thousands of years of biological evolution for the motivation you crave.