Desire is a powerful motivator and the driving force behind our racing, training and achieving our personal goals. Yet we must state our desires clearly with the specific rewards of success in mind. What if we applied the same kind of mentality to our daily lives?

One of my customers spent six years in a job where he felt unappreciated. While expressing his frustration, he kept saying, he couldn't stand his job. Although he had the skills and experience to switch jobs and firms, he was having trouble leaving his current position. It was his fear of change that beat him to the finish line every single time.

While desire is the main driving force behind our intentions and actions, it is important to distinguish between motivation fueled by desire and motivation fueled by fear. We are either moving toward something we want, or, as my customer was, away from something we do not want. Fear motivation aims to protect us, focuses on avoiding penalties of failure and leads to feelings of inhibition. Desire motivation seeks rewards for success and leads to bigger dreams and propulsion of our success.

Not knowing where he would go next, my customer stayed in an undesired position, mistakenly motivated by penalties of perceived failure. Of course, he had not failed; his job had failed him. He went on to identify the position and job he wanted. Then he began to create statements focusing on rewards for moving to a satisfying and fulfilling position. Recently he had acquired a satisfying position with a new company, and, to his delight, an employer who regularly compliments him on his work and lets him take off early so he can train for his first Ironman.

Try applying this to your training, focus on your desires each day. Ask yourself, "What do I want, exactly?" "What am I moving toward?" The way we express our feelings shapes our beliefs, intentions, and actions, often without our awareness. Allow your thoughts and words to move you toward your desires with faith in your given talents and potential. Start with something small and work your way up to bigger things. Growing up, I wasn't allowed to do any sport that had the possibility of breaking a leg, including skiing. Taking advantage of the snow this weekend, I decided to buy cross country skis and set out into Central Park to ski an entire loop.

The most successful achievers focus on the rewards of success. Think about one of your strongest desires and imagine what its attainment will make possible for you. The deepest desires of your heart will produce the energy to carry you forward to success.

May the rewards of everything you desire be yours!

Dream big,