We often think of motivation as a product of logic, discipline, or external incentives.

But beneath the surface, emotions are the true drivers of behavior.

Whether we realize it or not, our emotions guide decisions, shape interactions, and determine how we engage with the world.

Modern psychology confirms this: Dr. Antonio Damasio, a neuroscientist known for his work on emotions and decision-making, found that people who experience damage to the emotional centers of their brains struggle to make even simple choices. This suggests that without emotion, motivation—and even decision-making—becomes nearly impossible.

In Eastern philosophy, emotions are viewed as energetic forces that shape our actions. In Taoist thought, emotions must be channeled wisely—neither suppressed nor allowed to take over. The key is awareness: understanding our emotional drivers so we can use them effectively rather than being controlled by them.

Three Core Emotional Motivations

Every decision, from personal choices to leadership strategies, is shaped by three fundamental types of emotional motivation:

1️⃣ Approach Motivation: The Pull Toward Growth

When we feel curiosity, excitement, joy, or trust, we are drawn toward experiences that expand our knowledge, relationships, and potential.

Example: A leader who fosters psychological safety in a team encourages trust, making employees more likely to take creative risks and innovate.

👉🏽 If motivation is low, reframe the task to create curiosity, connection, or joy.

2️⃣ Avoidance Motivation: The Push Away from Discomfort

We instinctively move away from situations that feel threatening, irrelevant, or uninspiring.

Disengagement often signals deeper issues—people avoid tasks that lack meaning, autonomy, or alignment with their values.

Example: An employee consistently avoids a project, not due to laziness, but because it doesn’t align with their intrinsic motivators.

👉🏽 Instead of forcing action, ask:

What about this feels unfulfilling? How can I shift my approach to re-engage?

3️⃣ Attack Motivation: The Energy Behind Change

Anger, frustration, and even disgust can be powerful forces for action. While often seen as negative emotions, these feelings can serve as catalysts for transformation when harnessed correctly.

Example: Social movements throughout history have been driven by anger at injustice, fueling lasting systemic change.

👉🏽 Rather than suppressing frustration, channel it into constructive action—use dissatisfaction as a signpost for where change is needed.

Aligning Emotions with Actions

Motivation isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about aligning emotions with the direction you want to go. When we resist our emotional signals, we create internal friction, leading to stress and burnout. But when we listen to and work with our emotions, we gain access to an intuitive roadmap for action.

Self-Reflection Questions:

• What emotions am I experiencing around this task?

• How can I use these emotions rather than fight against them?

• What motivation (approach, avoidance, or attack) is driving my behavior right now?

Mastering Emotional Motivation

Emotions aren’t distractions from productivity—they are the fuel behind it.

By understanding how emotions shape motivation, we can harness their power for growth, clarity, and meaningful action.

How can you use emotions more intentionally in your decision-making and leadership?

Next Step: Observe your emotional motivations this week. Notice when you’re drawn toward, avoiding, or resisting something—then adjust your approach to work with your emotions instead of against them.