How to Motivate a Person – 3 Simple and Useful Tools
In the field of knowledge known as self-development (or personal growth), the three examples described below are quite overused and are often considered somewhat trivial. They’re rarely cited anymore in books, seminars, trainings, etc., because there’s a high chance you’ve already heard at least one of them before, which can dull the sense of novelty. It’s like receiving a gift (for your own money, by the way) in fancy wrapping, only to realize someone had already slightly opened it, handled it, or even used it.
But.
Personally, I really like these examples – they’re relevant and effective. Sometimes I use them myself when talking to people who are currently far from self-development, personal growth, self-awareness – people who generate dozens of excuses and justifications on the fly, yet still need some support, advice, mentorship, explanation, a bit of a “magic push”, so to speak. And they work. Plus – I’m not selling this info, just sharing it (as I said, after noticing a positive effect). So, if it feels a bit cliché – don’t be upset. I’m confident (like, really confident) that if these three examples don’t help you personally (although…), they’ll definitely come in handy in conversations with your loved ones, friends, children… or anyone who needs some moral support right now.
So. The first motivation:
A Child Learning to Walk
When a child is learning to walk, they put in a lot of effort. They fall. They get back up. They fall again. They get back up again. Fall again. Crawl a bit, and quietly, holding on to a couch, chair or some other object, they get up again. One or two steps – fall… Maybe whimper a little. Then try again.
Notice this. They don’t give up. They don’t think things like “Damn, it’s not working, I shouldn’t have tried” or “No, apparently walking just isn’t for me. It might be useful for some people, natural for others, but not for me.” or “I’m not good enough compared to others, they walk because they’re better – I’m weak, I’m just not cut out for this”, or even (after many failed attempts) – “I’ve realized that walking isn’t necessary, I’ll live without it, that’s okay, I’m a free and reasonable person, I tried, gained experience, and made my choice – I’ll live without walking. And leave me alone, I’m fine!“.
Right? He doesn’t think like that? No, he keeps trying.
AND SOONER OR LATER, HE STARTS WALKING.
Tried, fell, got up. Tried, fell, got up. Tried, fell, got up, and… HE WALKED!!!🙂
Now apply this to your life – to things like well-being, happy relationships, etc. You get it? You can’t say “A happy life just isn’t for me, not worth trying“. No. You have to try to make it that way, try different approaches, different behaviors to get the results you want. Be like that child, think simply like they do. None of this “Living in abundance isn’t for me, I’m too weak or too dumb“. Or (after many failed attempts) – “Actually, money is unnecessary, it’s evil, corrupts people. Rich people are mean and cunning, I don’t want to be like them. I’m fine without money“. I first met people with this mindset (who clearly needed money but avoided it and disliked the wealthy) when I was around 22. And I thought there were just a few of them. But later, honestly – I was shocked at how many there are. It’s wild – you need money (for this, for that, for a home, a car, food, etc.), yet you hate both the money and those who have it. This type of mindset is well described in the book “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. Read it, I recommend it. Just for self-education. It helps a lot. This is one of those money blocks – I’ve written about them many times.
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The second motivation.
“Everest Cannot Be Conquered”
Until 1953, Everest was considered an unconquerable mountain. There were no known cases of anyone reaching its summit and returning alive. And because there had NEVER been a successful attempt, it was seriously believed that the peak of the highest mountain on Earth was impossible to reach – “Everest cannot be conquered”.
But in 1953 everything changed. Everest was finally conquered! Wow! And do you know what happened after that? People started climbing it regularly, several times a year!!! And this still happens today. People climb to the very place that was once thought impossible to reach. Just one successful example, and boom – the crowd followed. The bar was lowered – it turned out you actually can climb Everest and return!
I remember I went trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. Friends… Just seeing that mountain with your own eyes – one of the brightest experiences of my life.
What’s the point? The point is that all those mental blocks like “It’s impossible, I can’t do it, no one else has – so I won’t either”, etc. – they exist only in your head. Throw that useless trash out. Tune into a different mindset – where “I WANT TO AND I CAN!!!”, be inspired, aim high, achieve. That’s the message.
Everything is possible.
The third one.
Toilet Motivation
The essence of it is this: when you really need to use the bathroom, nothing is going to stop you. In this case, all those excuses won’t work:
- I didn’t have the strength to go to the bathroom;
- I was too tired to make it there;
- I just lost faith that I could get there;
- Well obviously he made it – he’s got the stamina of a bull!
- I’m too dumb to go to the bathroom;
- I tried several times, didn’t work. Probably won’t this time either;
- The bathroom isn’t for me;
- I knocked, but no one answered;
- I didn’t have the motivation;
- I was depressed;
- It wasn’t the right time!
- I couldn’t afford it;
- I decided to go tomorrow.
- All the bathrooms were already taken, I should’ve gone earlier;
- I didn’t know where it was;
- You need connections, experience, charisma to use the bathroom…
- I trained for a different profession…
and so on.
Let’s be honest – if someone really has to go to the bathroom, they’ll get it done one way or another! So, folks, if you’re TRULY MOTIVATED and want something, all obstacles will seem insignificant.
Good luck!
