215So if you’re stuck without any truly motivating goals,
dreams or commitments, then go negative first. Figure
out what you absolutely don’t want—what you absolutely
fear and dread and refuse to let in to your life—then
convert it to its opposite, positive form and see what
happens. You’ll be more motivated than you ever
dreamed you could be.
I have used this in one-on-one meetings with people
who wouldn’t open up and tell me what they wanted. I
simply asked them to tell me what they didn’t want to
have happen and we were off to the races. Once you
know what that is, you can convert the conversation to
exciting plans and objectives. This explains why so many
successful people had difficult upbringings, sometimes
living in the harshest poverty. They connected very early
to what they didn’t want. The rest was clear sailing.
The next time you lack passion when thinking of
what you want, try turning it around. Ask yourself what
you absolutely don’t want, and then feel the energy build-
ing in you to overcome that problem.
That energy you’re feeling is the deepest and most
primal form of motivation.
Teach yourself the power of negative thinking