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 is 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. 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,
This article was submitted by Jim Rohn, America's Foremost Business
Philosopher. To subscribe to the Free Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine go to www.jimrohn.com or
send a blank email to subscribe@jimrohn.com
Copyright © 2000 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved
worldwide.
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