We want stuff. Stuff costs money. So, overall, money serves a positive function in our lives. Also overall, because of this positive function the vast majority of us have at least some fondness for money. And, again overall, our fondness places money in a 'role' where it can be construed as a source of motivation.

Personally, I would not say, "Money motivates". On the other hand, I will write 'Money motivates' here because [as described above] money serves an important function in virtually all our lives...as a result, many people pursue money...and a lot of people interpret that to mean "money motivates".

Stated another way, money is close to omnipresent. Being ubiquitous, from at least one perspective, it is illogical to state 'Money does not motivate'. Money is at the root of much human behaviour. Money is linked to the motivation of much human behaviour.

To ensure that somewhat-philosophical introduction does not conflict with things I have written about motivation in the past - Motivation is an intrinsic phenomenon, either conscious or not-conscious.

***

Now, some people talk about money as if it is the only valuable/meaningful thing in life. As a very good example, Kevin O’Leary filled the Dragons’ Den with his [apparent] obsessive love for money. And, we all know some people who spend huge amounts of time and brain-energy planning on how to get money without knowing how they plan to use it if/when it arrives.

At the other end of the spectrum, some people shun money and almost all the things money can buy. As a very good example, Mohandas [Mahatma] Gandhi dressed in minimal clothing, often without shoes, and lived and ate most-frugally as he led the Indian people to independence in the 1940’s. While I do not know people who live anywhere near as modestly as Mahatma Gandhi, I do know people who have decided to live ‘minimally’ [no keeping up with the Joneses, no fancy cars, no fancy homes, or fancy clothing, etc.].

***

Most people I know do not treat money [and what it can buy] in the extreme ways described above.

Most people I know view money as a thing worth having [the more the better], however, they do not place money on a pedestal or preach about or otherwise idolize money.

Most people I have met over the last few decades communicate [one way or another, either intentionally or by their actions] that they do not have enough money. That’s my perspective on their behaviour and situations…and…that’s a topic for another day.

***

Most people want stuff.

Most people try to get/earn money to pay for stuff.

So, there is a clear linkage between what people want, what people do, and their pursuit of money.

***

For most people, money is valued because of what it can get you.

For some people, money is valued because it can bring peace of mind.

In Sales roles, it is essential to keep your eye on the finish line; understanding the hurdles between you and your goal is far more important than understanding the hurdles in your wake.

And, following Ockham's razor or ancient wisdom - or, if you prefer, following the natural law of gravity - the simplest routes to success are generally the best routes.

Complication and complexity confound and confuse.

Simplicity brings skill development, speed & ease. 

Keep your goals in mind...and seek simpler paths.

When we make errors we generally experience at least a twinge of anxiety. Sometimes, the anxiety is minor and short-lived. Other times, the anxiety is extreme and it leads to the bad habits of rumination and worry, both of which can be quite debilitating.

Sometimes, when we make errors we repeat them over and over as bad habits. These errors can be considered intentional errors…we know we are doing the wrong thing yet we do it anyhow. Bad habits, including repeated intentional errors, take us away from our long-term goals. We have bad habits and we make these errors because we are human and laziness, short-term gratification

Sometimes, when we make errors we learn lessons that bring about good habits. It seems to me there are two common types of errors that bring about good habits:

• Accidental errors, where the consequences of the errors surprise us in a small, negative way…for example, when we say something that offends a person
• Intentional errors, where the consequences of the errors surprise us in a big, negative way…sometimes the consequences go beyond big/negative to catastrophic, like the straw that breaks the camel’s back

The key points:

• Errors trigger anxiety…we do better than we know this fact of life and have ways of dealing with the anxiety when it arrives [nipping anxiety in the bud, so it does not have a chance to grow]
• Errors, when repeated, can become bad habits
• Errors, when corrected, can lead to good habits
• Sometimes errors are surprises - accidents [i.e., new things]
• Sometimes errors are the result of a short-term gratification out-muscling a long-term goal…i.e., a, failure of willpower – intentional [i.e., bad habits]

Finally –

Strategies for managing error-induced anxiety can lead to happier, more-productive lives.