Personal desire is a powerful force that influences many aspects of life. It shapes our choices, actions, and behaviors without us even realizing it. One area where this can be particularly evident is when it comes to seeking out support or mentorship. Whether consciously or subconsciously, people often seek out people who they feel will benefit them in some way.
Someone may choose to join a certain group or club because they believe it will help further their career goals.
There are also times when personal desires can influence our decision-making process in ways that aren't so obvious. This could include choosing a mentor based on physical attraction or having an emotional connection to them instead of their qualifications. In this article, I'll explore how personal desire affects unconscious decisions about support and mentorship.
Let's consider the role of physical attraction. People often seek out mentors who they find physically attractive. While this may seem shallow, research has shown that physical attraction can play a significant role in our decision-making process. Studies have found that people are more likely to choose partners who share similar physical traits with themselves, which could explain why we gravitate towards those who resemble ourselves. Similarly, we may be drawn to mentors who possess attributes that we find appealing. We may not even realize it, but we may make these decisions based on instinctual preferences rather than rational thinking.
Emotional connection plays a significant part in shaping our choices. When we form an emotional bond with someone, it can create a sense of safety and comfort. We may feel like we can trust this person and rely on them for guidance and support.
This can sometimes lead us down a path that isn't necessarily beneficial to us. If we don't take into account other factors such as qualifications or experience, we could end up working with someone who isn't able to provide the help we need. We might feel comfortable talking to them because they make us laugh or feel good, but they may lack the expertise necessary to guide us through difficult situations.
Social pressures can also influence our decision-making process. Society places value on certain types of relationships, whether professional or romantic, and this can shape how we approach seeking out mentorship.
If everyone in your field seems to have a male mentor, you may feel pressure to seek out one yourself. This can lead to a situation where you don't get the most qualified mentor available, simply because of social norms. It's important to remember that just because something is 'the way things are done' doesn't mean it's always the best option for us personally.
Personal desire can play a role in choosing who we seek out for support. Sometimes, we want someone who will listen to us and validate our feelings without judgment. Other times, we want someone who will push us outside our comfort zone and challenge us to grow. Our desires can vary depending on what stage of life we're in or what specific goals we're trying to achieve.
When starting a new business, we may look for someone who has been there before and can offer practical advice. On the other hand, when going through a breakup, we may want someone who empathizes with us and provides emotional support.
Personal desire plays an essential role in shaping unconscious decisions about support and mentorship. We often choose people based on physical attraction, emotional connection, social norms, or personal needs. While these factors aren't inherently bad, they can sometimes cloud our judgement and lead us down paths that aren't beneficial to us.
It's crucial to take a step back and evaluate all aspects of a potential mentor before making a decision. By doing so, we increase our chances of finding someone who truly meets our needs and helps us reach our fullest potential.
How does personal desire shape unconscious decisions about support or mentorship?
Psychologists have long researched how human desire affects decision making and how it is shaped by internal and external factors. Decision-making processes are complex and influenced by numerous variables such as values, beliefs, needs, motivations, experiences, and contextual influences. Personal desires can play an important role in determining whether individuals seek or reject support or mentorship.