Motivation based on beliefs, choices and actions is more powerful and lasting than motivation based on feelings and emotions. ~ Mark Sanborn
It took me a few reads before I felt like I understood the message in this quote. I am a big believer in the power of emotion. I have encouraged many people to embrace the calling of the heart — the heart being the emotional intellect that exists within us. Connecting with and embracing this component of thought is the place where logic — fear, doubt, experience, worry, past history — is not as strong.
The emotional intellect — the heart — is where our dreams live. The mind is where our dreams go to die. They die in our minds because our mind only has the ability to embrace what it knows as true or possible; hence, it limits the options in our future because it is references only what it knows about the past.
At first I struggled with the notion that there may be a more powerful motivator than our feelings and emotions. The more I thought about it, our feelings and emotions are most powerful when they are driven by what we conceive and believe and what we choose to do to take action toward it. Feelings and emotions can inspire us to take action; however, the intensity of that action is defined and driven by the passion, energy and commitment we bring to it.
One of the Four Wheels of Personal Leadership is “Live with Passion.” To live with passion means that we discover and embrace our D.I.G. Our D.I.G is what drives, inspires, and guides us. The energy that comes from this point of consciousness is far more powerful than simply having a feeling. It is more powerful because there is something more tangible about this inspiration — it is a conscious commitment to live or create a life that is driven by what we value, love, enjoy, and get energy from. This level of awareness and the related commitment is an incredible force because it is well defined, uniquely personal to us, and reflects what is at the core of our value system and personality.
As you seek to create change or begin a transition in your life, focus first on your D.I.G. Clarity here will provide you the confidence and the inspiration to drive forward with greater passion and commitment.
