What is the catalyst to motivation?
Thoughts catalyze motivation and vice versa. Motivation and thoughts work in tandem with each other, once the motivation has built momentum, thoughts help continue the progression until the desired result is accomplished. The efficacy of this process is determined by how much, or how little emotion is put into the thought. Simply believing that you can accomplish whatever goal you’re pursuing won’t suffice; consistent affirmations, coupled with consistent action will. If the thought is strong enough, then action will most likely occur.
Weak or negative emotions, when invested toward thought, will thwart and eventually jeopardize this process, thus constituting failure. These adverse emotions spawn for a variety of reasons, but if one’s aware of their potential to sabotage motivation, then the likelihood of that happening dissipates. When “failure” occurs, most individuals become defeatist and give up on whatever ambition they were pursuing. Failure does not exist; its just a word with a connotation that (if believed in strong enough) disenfranchises the individual of attempting to fulfilling that certain ambition. If you ever stoop to that defeatist mindset, the motivation you originally built consequently stagnates. This is not failure though, the process of motivation is very welcoming; you can pick up where you left off and resume at any time.
It’s critical that we know how to distinguish thoughts between motivation. They are not the same thing; they mutually exist and need each other in order to function. In essence, without the foundation of thought, nothing physical would be manifested, without motivation nothing would adequately implement that thought into reality. Motivation is always present, yet, it must be awakened from dormancy to fully operate, and the power of our thoughts, if properly applied of course, will facilitate motivation.
Integrating thoughts (ideas and beliefs essentially) into reality will most definitely get you somewhere. Let’s say you want to make a sandwich, humans think/visualize the sandwich (end result) before the physical initiation. So, in order to create or do anything, the action must first be conceptualized, then, fueled by more thought and emotion, momentum is built, thus resulting in the final product. We implement this in our day to day lives; even the most rudimentary tasks require thought (talking, walking, eating, sleeping, etc). Overall, this process is done both consciously and subconsciously; there is nothing esoteric about this.
Also, keep in mind this principle; every action is measured by the depth of the sentiment it precedes. When an idea is executed, say, donating to charity, a myriad of individuals donate with the chief intention of self-aggrandization, improving their reputation (Most politicians are guilty of this). Whatever the motive may be, if it regards the self, the intention is impure, ergo, the deed is defiled. Sure, the charity receives money, and one more kid gets fed, but introspectively this is detrimental. When it comes to improving yourself and becoming your greatest version, a genuine compassion for the good of others is necessary. Altruism and scrupulousness are essential for your personal evolution. Set an example, donate for the sake of others, and be more altruistic. I disdain any weak intentions regardless what the action is. Usually weak intentions are stemmed from the ego. Most would argue that the action outweighs the intention, this is true, but only to an extent, both are equally paramount and a balance must exist. If you have good intentions but fail to implement those positive intentions into reality, nothing will happen. If you do the aforesaid and donate to charity with the sole intention of self-empowerment and to augment your personal list of “good things you’ve done”, you are being egotistical. This is not an ethical conundrum; make sure your actions are backed up by positive intentions.