Motivation is at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s the pursuit of a career, the struggle to break a bad habit, or even deciding to go to the gym after work, motivation plays a crucial role. However, what drives us isn’t universal. The world can be divided into two primary categories of motivation: “towards” and “away” motivation. This psychological model categorises people based on whether they are motivated by the desire to achieve pleasure or avoid pain. Interestingly, studies suggest that 80% of people are predominantly motivated by the need to move away from pain, while only 20% are driven towards pleasure.

But how conscious are we of our primary motivators? And how do these dynamics affect our decision-making, productivity, and overall well-being?

1. The “Towards” Motivators (Pleasure-Oriented)

People motivated towards something are driven by a desire to achieve positive outcomes. They are focused on reaching goals, experiencing pleasure, and acquiring rewards. Whether it’s striving for a promotion at work, hitting fitness goals, or learning new skills, these individuals are pulled by the allure of success and satisfaction.

Merits of Towards Motivation:

  • Goal-focused energy: Individuals with towards motivation tend to be highly goal-oriented, visualising what they want to achieve. They are energised by rewards and often maintain a positive attitude.
  • Optimism and creativity: This group typically focuses on possibilities and opportunities. They’re often more optimistic, able to brainstorm innovative ideas and solutions because they’re forward-looking.
  • Self-improvement: Towards-oriented individuals often thrive in environments that reward growth, achievement, and self-improvement. They are eager to learn and evolve, constantly pushing their boundaries.

Potential Drawbacks:

  • Over-optimism: Because they focus primarily on rewards, people in this group may overlook risks, leading to possible failures or disappointments when things don’t go as planned.
  • Neglecting short-term issues: In the pursuit of long-term goals, they might downplay immediate problems or avoid addressing pain points until they become more pressing.

2. The “Away” Motivators (Pain-Avoidance)

The majority of people—about 80%—fall into the away motivation category. These individuals are primarily driven by the desire to avoid pain, discomfort, or failure. They are not necessarily less ambitious, but their focus is more on managing risk and evading negative outcomes.

Merits of Away Motivation:

  • Risk management: Those who are pain-averse tend to be highly skilled at spotting potential threats or challenges before they become serious problems. This ability makes them cautious decision-makers and excellent at crisis management.
  • Preparedness: Pain-avoiders are often well-prepared, planning for worst-case scenarios. Their mindset helps them anticipate obstacles and develop strategies to overcome them.
  • Persistence in safety: This group often chooses the safe path, ensuring they maintain stability and avoid the psychological stress of failure or conflict.

Potential Drawbacks:

  • Lack of ambition: The drive to avoid pain can sometimes result in people not aiming high enough or settling for less than they could achieve because they fear failure or discomfort.
  • Fear-based decision making: Pain-avoiders may get trapped in a cycle of “playing it safe,” leading to a lack of risk-taking that could be necessary for significant growth or innovation.
  • Procrastination: Since they tend to focus on avoiding unpleasant tasks or situations, away-motivated people may procrastinate, delaying action until it’s unavoidable.

3. How Self-Awareness Can Boost Your Motivation

The question arises: how aware are we of what motivates us? Many people move through life without fully understanding whether they are primarily towards or away motivated. This lack of self-awareness can limit one’s potential or lead to frustration, especially when strategies or environments don’t align with their inherent motivational style.

  • Recognising your type: By identifying whether you’re towards or away motivated, you can tailor your approach to life more effectively. For example, if you’re towards motivated, set clearer goals and consistently visualise your rewards. If you’re away motivated, focus on what might happen if you don’t act, which can propel you into necessary action.
  • Shifting perspectives: You don’t have to remain fixed in one motivational style. If you’re naturally an away-motivator, you can practice incorporating positive incentives into your actions to build a more balanced approach. Likewise, towards-motivated people can develop a healthy appreciation for risk management to avoid pitfalls.
  • Combining approaches: The most successful individuals often strike a balance between both approaches. They recognise the value of moving towards something exciting but also appreciate the importance of mitigating risks. For example, using positive reinforcement to fuel creativity and pain-avoidance to ensure discipline can result in more comprehensive motivation.

4. Practical Steps to Identify Your Motivational Style

If you’re unsure whether you’re more towards or away motivated, try these simple strategies:

  • Reflect on past decisions: Think about significant decisions you’ve made in your life. Were you focused on avoiding negative outcomes (like financial loss or failure), or were you driven by the prospect of achieving something exciting (like a new job or personal accomplishment)?
  • Observe your emotional reactions: Do you feel a stronger emotional response to the possibility of success, or does the threat of failure weigh more heavily on your mind? This can offer insights into your core motivators.
  • Experiment with goals: Try setting both types of goals—one focused on achieving a positive outcome (towards motivation) and another centered on avoiding a negative one (away motivation). Observe which goal inspires more action.

Conclusion: Balancing Pleasure and Pain

Understanding what motivates you—pleasure or pain—is a critical step in optimising your personal and professional life. While most people are more focused on avoiding pain, knowing your dominant motivator can help you set goals and create strategies that truly resonate with your inner drivers. Ultimately, self-awareness allows you to harness both pleasure and pain to stay motivated and achieve your best self.

What motivates you to take action?