Theory X suggests that people are primarily motivated by the need to avoid negative outcomes. At a neurological level, our brains are wired to act as threat detectors. The amygdala, responsible for processing emotions like fear, helps us remain alert to danger or anything unfamiliar. Some studies even suggest that low-level anxiety might be our brain’s default state.
In contrast, our brain’s dopamine system drives us toward pleasure and rewards. This feed-forward mechanism encourages curiosity, learning, and the pursuit of new or unexpected benefits. At any moment, either system—moving away from threat or toward reward—tends to dominate.
In Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), these two motivational orientations are referred to as:
- “Away From” – focused on avoiding negatives or solving problems.
- “Toward” – focused on achieving goals and pursuing desired outcomes.
Like other meta-programs, your preference for either pattern may shift depending on context. For example, someone might be highly goal-oriented at work but more cautious and problem-focused in personal matters—or the reverse.
Understanding ‘Away From’ Motivation
Individuals with an “away from” orientation are driven by the desire to eliminate or avoid undesirable situations. They are motivated by threats, tight deadlines, and solving problems—often responding with urgency and alertness to anything going wrong.
This approach is ideal for crisis management, safety, and troubleshooting. These individuals often:
- Prioritize stability and risk mitigation.
- View goals as problems that must be handled.
- Reframe creative or open-ended tasks as issues that need fixing.
For instance, while a “toward” person might be inspired by the idea of painting a beautiful picture, an “away from” person may be driven by the need to deal with the blank canvas and avoid failure or imperfection.
Challenges of ‘Away From’ Motivation
Although helpful in problem-solving, this pattern can also create difficulties:
- Constant focus on issues may lead to ignoring long-term priorities.
- Positive goals might be overlooked because urgent problems feel more pressing.
- Motivation can quickly disappear once the immediate issue is resolved.
This creates a cycle: when things are bad, motivation surges. But once the problem is “fixed,” the drive fades. For example, someone may work hard to earn money when they’re struggling—but then lose interest once they’re financially secure, only to spring into action again when money runs low.
This reactionary approach can make it difficult to maintain steady progress or pursue long-term growth.