Transform Your Motivation System

Dr. Keith WittCognitive, How can I feel happy and fulfilled in my life?, Intrapersonal, Psychology, Volitional, Witt & Wisdom: Live with Dr. Keith

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Perspective Shift:

  1. Success does not equal fulfillment. Many high achievers assume that more accomplishments will eventually lead to lasting satisfaction, but without shifting their meta-motivation system, success often feels empty.
  2. You can’t “succeed your way” out of feeling not good enough. The belief that “I’ll be happy when…” keeps people stuck in a perpetual cycle of striving. True fulfillment comes from radical acceptance combined with steady growth, not endless achievement.
  3. Growth is sequential, but rarely linear. Personal development is an evolving, chaotic process that requires patience, self-compassion, and the ability to integrate both success and failure.
  4. Radical acceptance is a catalyst for deeper growth, not passivity. Accepting where you are does not mean stagnation—it actually creates a healthier, more sustainable foundation for continuous evolution.

Have you ever felt like no matter how much you achieve, it’s never quite enough? Like you’re always striving for the next level of success, but the satisfaction never lasts? If so, you’re not alone. Many high achievers, seekers, and conscientious individuals unknowingly operate within a toxic motivation system—one that prioritizes progress over fulfillment, leaving them chronically dissatisfied and burned out.

In this illuminating conversation, Dr. Keith Witt and Corey DeVos unpack the hidden structures of motivation and reveal a transformative shift: moving from the exhausting loop of “never enough” to a system of “always growing and always satisfied.”


Keith introduces the concept of “meta-motivation systems” and explains why shifting from a mindset of chronic dissatisfaction to sustainable growth is the key to lasting fulfillment. Along the way, they explore:

  • Why so many ambitious people feel perpetually unsatisfied — and how to shift to a healthier motivation system
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  • The “Criterion Velocity” formula — a simple but profound way to measure your progress and fulfillment.
  • How cultural taboos shape our self-worth — and why many of us unconsciously inherit the belief that we should never feel good enough.
  • Why radical acceptance is essential for growth — and how to embrace progress without toxic striving.
  • The nonlinear nature of development — why personal growth is always messy, and how to navigate it with more grace
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  • Practical strategies for parents and teachers — how to nurture a growth mindset in children without passing down the same cycle of dissatisfaction.

Blending deep psychological insights, integral wisdom, and real-life strategies, this episode will challenge your assumptions about success, self-worth, and motivation. Whether you’re a high performer struggling with imposter syndrome, a seeker yearning for more fulfillment, or someone simply trying to find peace in your progress, this conversation will offer a profound reframe that could change the way you navigate your life.

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Dr. Keith Witt

About Keith Witt

Dr. Keith Witt is a Licensed Psychologist, teacher, and author who has lived and worked in Santa Barbara, CA. for over forty years. Dr. Witt is also the founder of The School of Love.

Corey deVos

About Corey deVos

Corey W. deVos is editor and producer of Integral Life. He has worked for Integral Institute/Integal Life since Spring of 2003, and has been a student of integral theory and practice since 1996. Corey is also a professional woodworker, and many of his artworks can be found in his VisionLogix art gallery.