What Drives Us?
What is drive and why is it important? It is the ambition and will of an individual to commit an act. We are driven by what motivates us and success is measured in many ways. Goals can be a part of this process, but are not always necessary. The most common motivator is reward, such as money; however it is not the only one. People are also driven by emotion and power. Without motivation, our society would not be as prosperous as it is today. Money, power, and emotion are the most prevalent things that compel us to wake up and do what we do each and every day.
Our ability to earn money plays a large part in how we fit into society. Those that lack education and the ambition to learn generally find themselves the poorest while those that seek knowledge and want to better their lives usually hold wealth and power. Sometimes blind luck or chance can affect how we live. Winning the lottery or inventing something useful can change your life in many ways. They say you can’t buy happiness, but I would sure like to give it a try. The bottom line is having too much money is preferable to not having enough.
Acting according to the law is a choice we all have to make. People who commit horrific crimes are driven, but not necessarily by the same things as the rest of the population. Feelings of power and the adrenaline rush from committing a crime can be addictive. Criminals usually commit more severe crimes after they learn how to get away with smaller ones without getting caught. If these individuals could harness their motivation in a positive manner instead of using it to commit crimes, a lot of hate and pain could be eliminated.
Emotions are powerful. Love, fear, and jealousy are among the strongest. They influence how we perceive the world and control how we act. Our emotions are linked to our daily choices. If you consistently make bad decisions, you are much more likely to have negative emotions which can lead to criminal acts or lack of self-esteem. On the flip-side, making wise choices helps form positive emotions which lead to caring for others, happiness, and a general sense of well-being. It is easy to talk about making good choices, but the reality is most people do not know the outcome of their decisions until it is too late.
Many within our population lack the will to succeed and become successful. Some find laziness is easier than work. Others fear failure more than they desire reward and, therefore, cannot push themselves to succeed. Some simply lack the skills or education to make their dreams a reality. Knowing that success can only be achieved by working towards it is the first step in becoming successful. With this in mind, I encourage myself and those around me to put forth the effort to fulfill their dreams.