There are only two things that motivate us in life: inspiration and desperation. We either move toward that which inspires us, or we move away from that which fills us with despair or discomfort. Most people only use desperation's motivational energy. Any persuader can motivate an audience with desperation, fear, and worry.

The problem is that motivation spurred by desperation does not last. People who are moved by desperation or fear are typically so preoccupied with what they're trying to get away from that they can't think of anything else.

If you want personal motivation to last, you need to rely on inspiration, which is rooted in our emotions and vision. The positive results that come from using inspiration as a motivator are obvious. And, inspired people don't need a carrot dangling in front of them to get something accomplished. They are self-motivated and don't wait for external factors to drive them one way or the other.

SCIENTISTS SAY THEY CAN MEASURE YOUR CHARISMA WITH ONLY SIX QUESTIONS

Motivation is not stagnant; we all will require different types of motivation. Every day, every hour we will require a different form of motivation. Great persuaders know when, how, and what type of motivation to use not only as a persuader but also in their personal lives. It is also critical to know what which combination of motivation to use in each persuasive situation.