Motivational Triad

What motivates our behavior?

We can make this as simple or as complicated as we like. I prefer simplicity. There are 3 main things that drive our motivation:

• Seek Pleasure
• Avoid Pain
• Least Effort

Back in the early times of humanity, the motivational triad served us well and kept the species alive. Pleasure was hard to come by, so seeking it out was an important part of our development. Pain has always been part of the human experience, and it can not be eliminated, but it can be minimized. Preserving energy through the least necessary effort enabled us to conserve our energy and survive long term.

An enlightened alternative

I’m going to suggest an alternative that brings self-awareness, compassion, and rationality to our motivation. I would suggest the following:

• Seek Helpful
• Avoid Harmful
• Least Effort For Everyone Over Time

Pain is part of the human experience. Suffering is optional.

Suffering is the mental and emotional anguish we put ourselves when there is something or someone not to our liking. Life sometimes presents difficult situation, and this is the first arrow that the Buddha talked about. The second arrow is the one we inflict upon ourselves by saying things like: Why me? Why am I so unlucky? God is punishing me.

There are things we can do that may cause pain, but are in our long term best interest. Going to the dentist can be painful, even the cleaning and flossing can cause pain. But we are keeping on top of our dental health so it is worth the small price to pay with discomfort. Going to the dentist is Painful but also Helpful.

There are things that can bring us pain, but are not in our best long term interest. Let’s say I eat a doughnut. Yum who doesn’t like doughnuts? But if I’m trying to lose 50 pounds then eating that junk food is against my goal and is Harmful even though it brought about Pleasure in the present moment.