Can Using Negative Motivation Really Fuel Your Success?

Motivation is key to achieving our personal goals. There are two types of motivation that you can experience. Negative motivation, which is pulling you from something and positive motivation which pushes you towards a thing.

These two types of motivation are the driving force that influences us to act in a certain way.

It compels us into action in a given direction.

Both can actually be effective in helping you accomplish your end goal. 

What is positive and negative motivation?

Positive motivation comes from something inside of you that propels you forward to reaching a certain goal. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs explains this well. 

You’re more likely to act when the results of any given action have a direct impact on getting what you desire.

I remember when I had my first job right out of college. I had started through a temp agency and they told me that if I got hired by the company full time, my salary would double after my 90 days. 

Now being young and broke, I was super excited by this opportunity so of course I was gonna bust my butt to make sure that I get hired on full time. 

The thought of having my own apartment and space plus more money definitely motivated me to make it through those next 90 days..

Another example of positive motivation is getting your body in shape. If you envision your body being in the best shape of your life, this may push you to get up and work out often. 

If You Are Working On Something That You Really Care About, You Don’t Have To Be Pushed. The Vision Pulls You.  – Steve Jobs

Negative motivation is on the opposite end of the spectrum. Instead of seeking pleasure, with this motivation you’re running from pain. 

This motivation is about fear or the consequences of not doing something. 

An example of this would be someone wanting to give up the habit of smoking because they just watched a loved one pass away from cancer.

Or if you work a commission based job and your manager tells you that if you don’t hit your numbers by the end of the month, you will be terminated.

If you lose your job, you may lose your ability to pay your mortgage and all your other bills that you may have. 

If you’re the type of person that is driven by fear and anxiety, something like this can propel you into action because it becomes too much at stake for you to lose. 

You can use this type of motivation as a reminder of what will happen if you don’t do the things you need to get done. 

You can also use this type of motivation to set up punishments for not following through on your tasks. 

Such as giving up a weekend with friends so that you can complete tasks because you made the decision to put it off during the week. 

One of the biggest advantages of negative motivation

Since this type of motivation is primarily driven by the fear of something, this can often be beneficial for people. 

It’s not always dreadful or dramatic. Negative motivation can also be great for people to overcome their fears and do things they have been wanting to do.

However, at the end of the day, the best way to get motivated and to stay motivated is to do something that you’re passionate about. 

You don’t have to love every intricate part of the process, your business or job, or whatever it is you’re pursuing. 

But if you truly enjoy and believe in what you do, each day that you’re hustling to reach your goals will be much less of a burden and more of a stepping stone on your way to success. 

Just think of the end goal, the big prize or reward that you’ll get when you’ve reached the ‘other side of the rainbow’.

Does negative motivation or positive work best for you? Let us know in the comments below.