The
Four Emotions That Can
Lead to Life Change
by Jim Rohn
_____________________________________________________
Emotions
are the most powerful forces inside us. Under the power of emotions,
human beings can perform the most heroic (as well as barbaric) acts.
To a great degree, civilization itself can be defined as the intelligent
channeling of human emotion. Emotions are fuel and the mind is the
pilot, which together propel the ship of civilized progress.
Which emotions cause people to act? There are four basic ones; each,
or a combination of several, can trigger the most incredible activity.
The day that you allow these emotions to fuel your desire is the day
you'll turn your life around.
1) DISGUST
One does not usually equate the word "disgust" with positive
action. And yet properly channeled, disgust can change a person's
life. The person who feels disgusted has reached a point of no return.
He or she is ready to throw down the gauntlet at life and say, "I've
had it!" That's what I said after many humiliating experiences
at age 25, I said. "I don't want to live like this anymore. I've
had it with being broke. I've had it with being embarrassed, and I've
had it with lying."
Yes, productive feelings of disgust come when a person says, "Enough
is enough."
The "guy" has finally had it with mediocrity. He's had it
with those awful sick feelings of fear, pain and humiliation. He then
decides he is not going to live like this anymore." Look out!
This could be the day that turns a life around. Call it what you will,
the "I've had it" day, the "never again" day,
the "enough's enough" day. Whatever you call it, it's powerful!
There is nothing so life-changing as gut-wrenching disgust!
2) DECISION
Most of us need to be pushed to the wall to make decisions. And once
we reach this point, we have to deal with the conflicting emotions
that come with making them. We have reached a fork in the road. Now
this fork can be a two-prong, three-prong, or even a four-prong fork.
No wonder that decision-making can create knots in stomachs, keep
us awake in the middle of the night, or make us break out in a cold
sweat.
Making life-changing decisions can be likened to internal civil war.
Conflicting armies of emotions, each with its own arsenal of reasons,
battle each other for supremacy of our minds. And our resulting decisions,
whether bold or timid, well thought out or impulsive, can either set
the course of action or blind it. I don't have much advice to give
you about decision-making except this:
Whatever you do, don't camp at the fork in the road. Decide. It's
far better to make a wrong decision than to not make one at all. Each
of us must confront our emotional turmoil and sort out our feelings.
3) DESIRE
How does one gain desire? I don't think I can answer this directly
because there are many ways. But I do know two things about desire:
a. It comes from the inside not the outside.
b. It can be triggered by outside forces.
Almost anything can trigger desire. It's a matter of timing as much
as preparation. It might be a song that tugs at the heart. It might
be a memorable sermon. It might be a movie, a conversation with a
friend, a confrontation with the enemy, or a bitter experience. Even
a book or an article such as this one can trigger the inner mechanism
that will make some people say, "I want it now!"
Therefore, while searching for your "hot button" of pure,
raw desire, welcome into your life each positive experience. Don't
erect a wall to protect you from experiencing life. The same wall
that keeps out your disappointment also keeps out the sunlight of
enriching experiences. So let life touch you. The next touch could
be the one that turns your life around.
4) RESOLVE
Resolve says, "I will." These two words are among the most
potent in the English language. I WILL.
Benjamin Disraeli, the great British statesman, once said, "Nothing
can resist a human will that will stake even its existence on the
extent of its purpose." In other words, when someone resolves
to "do or die," nothing can stop him.
The mountain climber says, "I will climb the mountain. They've
told me it's too high, it's too far, it's too steep, it's too rocky,
it's too difficult. But it's my mountain. I will climb it. You'll
soon see me waving from the top or you'll never see me, because unless
I reach the peak, I'm not coming back." Who can argue with such
resolve?
When confronted with such iron-will determination, I can see Time,
Fate and Circumstance calling a hasty conference and deciding, "We
might as well let him have his dream. He's said he's going to get
there or die trying."
The best definition for "resolve" I've ever heard came from
a schoolgirl in Foster City, California. As is my custom, I was lecturing
about success to a group of bright kids at a junior high school. I
asked, "Who can tell me what "resolve" means?"
Several hands went up, and I did get some pretty good definitions.
But the last was the best. A shy girl from the back of the room got
up and said with quiet intensity, "I think resolve means promising
yourself you will never give up." That's it! That's the best
definition I've ever heard: PROMISE YOURSELF YOU'LL NEVER GIVE UP.
Think about it! How long should a baby try to learn how to walk? How
long would you give the average baby before you say, "That's
it, you've had your chance"? You say that's crazy? Of course
it is. Any mother would say, "My baby is going to keep trying
until he learns how to walk!" No wonder everyone walks.
There is a vital lesson in this. Ask yourself, "How long am I
going to work to make my dreams come true?" I suggest you answer,
"As long as it takes." That's what these four emotions are
all about.
To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
**
This
article was submitted by Jim Rohn, America's Foremost Business Philosopher.
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