The Science Of Motivation

MyLife Essay Contest

Every so often we can all use a wake-up call, reminding us of just how fortunate we are to have the Torah and its secrets. For with them we can answer so many of our questions, and thus have no need to search elsewhere—it’s all right here, in its purest form.

To find one example of this phenomenon, let us preface with a classic Chassidic episode:

The royal family had just begun their meal. The Rebbe Rashab (the Fifth Rebbe of Chabad) washed his hands for bread and was waiting for the others to complete the ritual. His younger brother, Reb Menachem Mendel (who was six years younger, born on 7 Adar 5627, 1867), was unable to contain his eagerness to share the news about a new scientific development he had recently come across.

It was around the year 1895, and according to a newly-publicized study, the brain’s functions are affected by certain movements of the body. He went on to explain in detail how certain actions impact the brain to perform in different ways, some positive while others negative.

All the while, his saintly brother remained silent until the meal was concluded; upon which he entered his chamber, and from between his hundreds of holy books he pulled out a selected manuscript. In this handwritten Hebrew document—transcribed some seventy or eighty years earlier—was found this very study, suggesting this precise neural-scientific theory (that movement of the head in different manners influences the brain waves)! For example, when a person needs to recall a detail from the annals of his memory, he looks upward and this affects his memory to function better; while if one needs to delve deeply into a certain matter, he tilts his head downward, and this motion affects his brain’s concentration and focus.

Who was the author of this captivating insight? The Rebbe Rashab said that it was actually the Mitteler Rebbe (the second Rebbe of Chabad). Reb Mendel excitedly exclaimed: “If that is the case, then the Mitteler Rebbe must have been a professor!” To which the Rebbe Rashab responded: “The Mitteler Rebbe knew it because that is how it is by the Man Above, so it must be that way with man on earth.”¹

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Recently, while studying Chassidus’ take on the attribute of Netzach, Victory, I chanced upon a fascinating contemporary study on achievement motivation:

A key component for a human being to accomplish anything is achievement motivation, for it keeps the motor running. Those with a stronger drive, however, tend to succeed more than those who are okay with the status quo. This is because their motivation impels their brains to function even better. For some people, this motivation is derived from external incentives. For example, working harder means a better paycheck and relationship with their boss. While for others, it’s mostly about internal reward; they want to be the best in their field.

Achievement Motivation in Action:

Kei Mizuno, the Japanese professor who directed the above mentioned study, wanted to know whether it was possible to observe achievement motivation in the brain. He therefore conducted an experiment using two randomly selected groups of students to perform a certain intellectual task. Each group would be rewarded for their efforts in a different way: The first group was told to do as well as they could, for the better they did, the more money they would earn. The second group was given an identical task, but would receive no money at all; their only reward would be a display of their results on a personal feedback chart.

Mizuno’s findings were truly remarkable. He found that the striatum—the key brain center for motivation and reward—of those who were academically driven, was ‘switched on’ more than those who were participating simply for the cash reward.^{2 3}

According to the study, the drive to be on top is mostly an inherent trait. Some have it stronger than others; but ultimately it is a core trait, triggered by the need for internal satisfaction, not external rewards such as money or fame.

A Deeper Approach:

Chassidus has a far more comprehensive approach of this basic human behavioral construct and its application in our daily lives.

Some two centuries ago, the Mitteler Rebbe recorded a classic Chassidic discourse. At the onset of his dissertation he discusses the seventh of our ten characteristics, the attribute of Netzach, which every person possesses. This dormant trait is activated when we face opposition. ⁴ When that happens, our Netzach factor comes into play, and it gives us that extra oomph to overcome our adversary. Without it, we are most likely headed for a rough defeat…

Subsequently, the Mitteler Rebbe begins splitting hairs of this quality: Some people fight a battle with the objective of monetary gain, power, or fame. To win that battle over their opponent, they need their Netzach to be ‘switched on.’ However, that is not the ultimate personification of Netzach. The ultimate embodiment of Netzach is purely for the sake of winning. Not for any extra cash, nor for power or making headlines. The mere crave to be the best, better than your rival — that is Netzach in its fullest.

Why, you may ask? The Mitteler Rebbe offers an explanation: When one battles for a specific acquisition, he is only going to sacrifice so much on the front lines. He is merely going to risk that which is worth the potential gain. I.e. if he can acquire half a million bucks through a victory, he surely will not employ $750,000 on war expenses — it is not worth it. So, in essence, his Netzach is only operating on a $500,000 limit.

By contrast, in the second form of Victory (fighting purely to be the dominant top dog), the sky is literally the limit! For as long as his opponent is superior to him, he will be unable to sleep until his opponent is vanquished. In such a scenario there is no telling how much the person will expend to achieve this; even to the extent of putting his life in danger.

Application to Us

Our Superior placed every one of us on this earth as His soldiers to battle the negative forces of evil, and His objective in this intense confrontation is much like the latter form of Netzach. Hashem, the King in our chess match, will stop at nothing to emerge triumphant over His (so-called) antagonists. As He sends us — his pawns — on our daunting mission across the perilous terrains of this battlefield, He dispenses all his accounts, for no expense is too costly for this conflict.

These treasures which have been safeguarded for generations, never to be disbursed—are now unleashed by the King for his struggling warriors all over the battleground! Absolutely nothing will stop Him from gaining the victory, for it is purely motivated by intrinsic satisfaction, with no external incentives involved.⁵

With this being explained some two hundred years ago, who needs these contemporary studies?! It can all be found in Chassidic Texts from generations earlier! The Mitteler Rebbe—not a professor—explained this study long ago!

These teachings sit quietly on the shelf and wait for us to seize them, delve into them, and internalize their invaluable lessons. And if we cannot find the answer for our quandary in the Torah, that does not mean it is not there; there is always someone more knowledgeable in Torah than ourselves who we can turn to.

What we can learn from this insight, is that we know that our Leader — G-d — possesses this drive to dispel the darkness. And to help us achieve this tremendous feat, He has unleashed all His potent and untouched ‘ammo’ for us to utilize on the ‘battlefield.’ All these helpful treasures are open for our taking; hence it behooves us to capitalize on this golden opportunity in order to fulfill our sacred mission here on this earth.

Footnotes and Sources