READERWANDS
The Psychology of Action and Motivation: A Powerful Lesson from William James
In this article, explore a powerful and inspiring insight by William James, an American philosopher and psychologist. Discover the psychology of self-motivation and how taking action can transform your life.
William James, an American philosopher and psychologist, once made an observation:
“Action seems to follow feeling, but really action and feeling go together; and by regulating the action, which is under direct control of the will, we can indirectly regulate the feeling, which is not.”
When I was a teenager, I had a philosophy of my own. It went something like this:
“If you are assigned a work (back when work meant homework), and you do not feel like doing it, then do not do it. That is because if you do a task half-heartedly, it will not be perfect. The moment will not be perfect. So, wait for that perfect moment until your mind feels fresh, it is not too late, not too early, and no one will disturb you. In that moment, the quality of your work will be exquisite.”
How does this strategy sound to you? Do you think it will work? Surely, it would work, but then people would no longer have jobs.
But believe it or not, I am telling the truth. I literally used to study when I really wanted to study. And once I did, I used to give my best. I usually got that perfect moment. You know why? Because as children, we did not have much going on in our lives. Our life revolved around sleep, play, study, food, and repeat. We did not have any distractions, especially in the 90s, that we have now. We were not a part of the “real world” back then.
But as we grew up, life happened to us. Tell me this, do you ever feel like working? For example, if you had an option where you did not need to work your entire life, and your bills, EMIs, holidays, etc. would be taken care of, would you not choose this option? I definitely would.
The point is perfect moments do not exist. That perfect moment that you long for might never come. Even if that perfect moment finds its way back to you, you would have missed a considerable amount of time waiting for it.
So, as quoted by Sir William James, regulate action, which is in direct control of your will. Feelings supporting that action will eventually follow.
Moments ago, I did not feel like writing about another topic. But I did it anyway. And now, I am one step closer to where I want to be.
Put yourself to action, today!
In this article, I share personal insights on the benefits of writing. Writing offers more value than you might expect. Read on to discover how it can improve mental clarity, support personal growth...
If you feel lonely and unsure about what to do next in life, this simple prayer can help you find strength and peace. When life feels overwhelming and shattered, reaching out to God can provide...
This article is neither a book summary nor a promotion. It is a heartfelt appreciation of the timeless classic "How To Stop Worrying And Start Living" by Dale Carnegie. I encourage you to read this...
Explore this article to understand how to change your mindset and how perspective can shape your life. This inspirational story of two men, both facing the same hardship, reveals the power of how we...
In this article, explore a powerful and inspiring insight by William James, an American philosopher and psychologist. Discover the psychology of self-motivation and how taking action can transform...
For anyone still chasing their dreams, this inspiring story is a reminder to keep going and believe in your journey. Coming from a middle-class background, I know how difficult it can be to dream big...
People often demand respect, whether in professional or personal life. Everyone desires to hold a position of respect in society. In this thought-provoking article, explore a powerful perspective on...
One of my favorite posts, especially for anyone searching for purpose in life. Read this piece and see how words can ignite your thoughts and inspire wonderful discoveries...
This post shares a powerful parenting lesson through a short and meaningful story. Have you ever heard of a canary? Keep reading to discover something truly fascinating about this little bird and how...