The Four Emotions that Can Lead to Life Change

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's 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. As is my custom, 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,
Jim Rohn

Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine. Copyright 2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide. To subscribe to Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine, go to http://Jim-Rohn.InspiresYOU.com

---

Good-Bye Yesterday, Hello Today

Many of us are unable to move forward with our... Read More

Without Love

Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 30,... Read More

Why Read Inspirational Quotes?

Maybe you've heard this one:"What does it profit a man... Read More

Is the Life Youre Living the Life You Want?

In pre-revolutionary Russia, a rabbi was walking to the synagogue.... Read More

No More Frustration: The Thorns of Opportunity - Part II

The quest for the ultimate victory.In part one I shared... Read More

The Emmaus Journal ~ Quietness

The Emmaus Journal QuietnessAs a state of being, quietness is... Read More

A Life of Purposes Extraction

Purpose. What is purpose? Drinking coffee when you wake up... Read More

Anamcara - Being Forever Enough

When was the last time you felt you were enough... Read More

Fashionably Late

Direct Answers - Column for the week of January 6,... Read More

Financial Freedom Blues

Steps to Financial Freedom, roadmap to financial freedom, achieve financial... Read More

Been There, Done That

Fourteen years ago I was divorced from my second wife,... Read More

From The Ashes

The man plopped down on his chair, defeated.His father's maxims... Read More

In the Eyes of a Child

It was way past 10:00 pm when I came home... Read More

You Are So Unreal

Mankind's ability to give life to lifeless objects, gives rise... Read More

Why Self Esteem Matters

A number of years ago I worked for one of... Read More

The Power Of A Dream - Success Always Start Off With A Dream

Back in the good old days of school, the teachers... Read More

Honesty

Those who pride themselves on their honesty should also concern... Read More

Why Are We So Lost? The Journey Home

Did you ever wonder how you ended up where you... Read More

The HUGE Deposit of Diamond in You

Something happened to me some years back that is worthy... Read More

The Power of One

It was one of those once-in-a-life-time moments. The entire World... Read More

Are You Really Living Your Life Today!

Yesterday I was but a child, looking. Looking ahead at... Read More

Hope in Humanity

Let us renew our hope in humanity. It's so easy... Read More

Need for a Belief System: A System of Organization for Your Experiences!

I've spoken with many people who, over time, have felt... Read More

Borne Upon the Wings of Words

How often do you have opportunities every day to exercise... Read More

Being Fruitful

Over the years I've learned to challenge my audiences to... Read More

TIES that BIND

I have no idea how it started or who launched... Read More

When Was the Last Time?

When was the last time you smiled at a stranger?When... Read More

Ever Wondered Why Everyone Else is Moving On, Except You?

"I attend courses, read books, listen to CD's, yet I... Read More

Making Commitments of Love and Courage

There is a story about a little girl who suffered... Read More

Don?t Let the Boogeyman Steal Your Dreams

The boogeyman lurking in the closet scares the bejesus out... Read More

Planning for the Unexpected

Unfortunately, most people fail to plan until it is too... Read More

Are You Tired of Being Stuck?

All you want is a little more.More money, more love,... Read More

Persistency - Element In Reality

One of the keys to being successful in anything you... Read More