What motivates a human being? Psychologists have been debating this for over a century. Darwin posited that motivation was driven by instinct, and Freud expanded upon this by theorizing that motivation had its basis in irrational, unconscious instincts, expressed within the mind. Modern behavioral and cognitive psychologists have explored and debated the role of intentions, desires and goals and their impact on the internal motives that explain human behavior. Spotted Eagle addresses these questions by drawing a distinction between fear-based motivation and essence-based desire.

Fear-based motivation describes the way in which the anxious Mind seeks to quell its fears by trying to guarantee certainty and security in an uncertain world. When the anxious Mind’s motivations drive behavior, we fantasize about a future where our fears and issues do not exist. Most fantasies are born of distorted, fear-based motivation and for this reason they are not powerful in guiding us to create what is practical, sustainable and satisfying.

Spotted Eagle says, “To be powerfully creative, you must go after the greatest distortion in your thinking—fear of the future—and overcome it, or nothing you do will produce sustainable or satisfying fruit.” He points out that where we feel powerful we usually do not fantasize about the future. Instead, we come to the now, open and available to whatever is there, whether it is painful or joyful. Because we feel powerful in this area, we have no neediness for fantasies to medicate our fear of the uncertain future. “Be present with your now and everything that is truly there within it,” he says. “Appreciate its joys, and rise to meet its challenges with courage and dignity. This is what catalyzes the growth that will evolve you into a person who can live the life of your dreams.”

This is an excerpt from a post on the Overcoming Fear of Uncertainty blog. Click here to read the full text.

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