The word “drive” has several connotations. As a child I used to love the noun “drive” because typically, on holidays, it would mean my mom and dad taking us out by car just to have some fun. Later on, as an adult, when the verb “drive” came into my life, I started hating it, especially on the eternally crowded Mumbai roads. Much later, when I embraced work life, I realized that it’s this noun “drive” in its figurative meaning which is what differentiates “excellence” from “mediocrity”. If you have the drive to excel, no one can stop you!
So, what exactly is this (third) “drive”? The dictionary says it’s the energy and determination you need, to succeed at doing something – it’s what pushes you to get up and get going. In life’s journey, it’s the feeling which pushes you to do better. As per neuroscience, is there anything in brain physiology which affects this drive? Well, the answer is a yes! Whether a person is motivated or not is not just an abstract emotional concept – it’s a complex neurological process which involves the interplay of various parts of the brain.
We often associate the word “psychosomatic” with ailments, diseases or distress. But a lesser-known concept is what is called “positive psychosomatics”. It refers to the positive impact that a positive mindset has on our body. Take the case of climbers trying to summit Mount Everest. Typically, they are in what is known as the “death zone” – an altitude more than 8,000 metres, for around 16-20 hours. By this time, their bodies are struggling to survive, due to the lack of oxygen. There are countless accounts of climbers being stranded due to traffic jams on the mountain. There are tragic stories of climbers succumbing to the extreme conditions or having to abort and return to base. And there are also those who miraculously survive – they summit and return back to safety. Where do they get the resilience to push their bodies to conquer and come back? It’s the mental drive to be reunited with family and loved ones which leads them to meet the challenges head on, so to speak! This is one of the best examples of positive psychosomatics.
Closer home, all Chartered Accountants will agree that the Chartered Accountancy exam is no less than a death zone, in the way it tortures and tests the grit of every individual attempting to take it. It is pretty normal to need to appear for the exam multiple times before one can clear it. And when one does not succeed, it’s next to impossible to pinpoint what went wrong, or what is it that needs to be done differently! In moments of utter despair, giving it all up may seem to be a natural (and understandable) choice. And yet, those who are driven and keep pushing are the ones who succeed. Mere intelligence is not enough. The ability to keep going, the ability to push through the days of being unsure, tired and confused, is what helps one (to) realise the dream of adding the coveted prefix “CA” to one’s name.
Sports is yet another field where one’s mental state and psychology play a huge role in determining the outcome. You have surely witnessed some nail-biting cricket matches where fortunes have turned in the last over or balls. International cricket players are obviously talented and well-trained. Yet there are some among them who stand out on account of the way they handle themselves during intense situations. It’s their grit and the drive to win which helps them maintain a calm demeanour during an extremely stressful match.
Having established the fact that “being and staying motivated” is THE secret sauce of all achievers, more often than not, it is easier said than done. Very often, life throws us curveballs – forcing us to live through experiences which pull us down emotionally, making life difficult and impossible. At such times, the weak may quietly accept defeat and reconcile themselves to the situation as it unfolds. And yet some (dare I say, many?), will quietly push themselves, remain motivated and not “lose the drive”. How do they do that?
It is no surprise that very often, the answer lies in traditional Indian practices like yoga, pranayama and meditation. Those who practise these regularly are able to retain both calmness and positivity.
Our nervous system has a component called the “autonomic nervous system” (ANS) which regulates involuntary processes such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, etc. The brain manages these processes even as we sleep. The two main divisions of the ANS are the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system responds to all types of stress and is responsible for the “fight-or-flight” response, while the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the “rest-and-digest” response. While a little “good stress” or “eustress” created by the limbic system leads to positive outcomes such as motivation, optimism and resilience, should stress levels increase, it can lead to “distress” and become counterproductive. At times such as these, an activated parasympathetic nervous system helps in not letting stress get the better of you.
Practices like yoga or pranayama which focus on mindful and deep breathing and focussed attention help in activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Once activated, it decreases heart rate and blood pressure, alleviates anxiety and emotional reactivity, and arouses a general sense of calm. When the mind is in this state, the positive and happy hormones get released, and the drive and motivation remain intact.
Another very important and helpful technique in keeping oneself motivated is “visualisation” – also referred to as “manifestation”. It is an established fact that the brain cannot distinguish between reality and imagination. It releases the same chemicals when one is experiencing something and also when one is only imagining/visualising it. No wonder then, looking at one’s holiday photos evoke the same feeling of joy as was experienced during the actual holiday. As we recount an incident to someone, just talking about it makes us as happy or as sad as the situation made us feel. It is this very trick which helps cricketers and Mount Everest climbers achieve their goals. Visualising the team holding the World Cup or (for the mountaineer) visualising being reunited with family rather than being frozen to death kicks in the motivation to fight till the very end.
It’s equally important to note here that “discipline” is a close ally, a very good friend of motivation. Very often, when motivation is lacking, discipline steps in and helps one push through difficult times! It is thus extremely important to complement a positive mindset with discipline.
Whether life is rosy or not, our response to situations determines the degree of our happiness. It is in our own interest then, to not stress too much and take charge of the steering wheel in this beautiful journey of life. Here’s wishing you a beautiful drive!
About CA Ashwini Chitale
Ashwini is a Chartered Accountant by profession and also an MBA and LLB by qualification. Her area of interest and work is Valuations, and she is an IBBI registered valuer. She is associated with the BCAS as Convenor of the Seminar, Membership and Public Relations Committee. Prior to pursuing a career in Chartered Accountancy, she has worked in the field of insurance and reinsurance, in India and abroad. Ashwini loves to travel and meet new people. She believes that travel is the best teacher because it’s only when you visit new places and meet new people that you get more perspectives about life. She also enjoys documenting her travels by way of short videos or reels. Predominant amongst her other passions is cooking and she loves to host people.
She can be contacted on ashwini.nia@gmail.com
