I can across this idea “Universal Equation of Results by Brian Tracy.
Brian Tracy’s Universal Equation of Results can be summarised as follows:
Results = (Desire × Belief × Action × Persistence)
This equation reflects the idea that success is not just about wanting something, but also believing in your ability to achieve it, taking consistent action, and persisting through challenges.
Key Components Explained:
- Desire: A clear and strong goal or aspiration.
- Belief: Confidence in your ability and the possibility of success.
- Action: Taking steps toward your goal consistently.
- Persistence: Continuing despite obstacles or failures.
Brian Tracy emphasizes that these elements must work together. If any one of them is zero (e.g., no belief or no action), the result will also be zero. His idea is similar to several motivation theories such as Vroom’s expectancy theory of motivation, Locke and Latham’s Goal-Setting Theory of Motivation, and Interest theory.
The emphasize that goal clarity, belief, and effort are essential for achieving results. .
Comparison with Vroom’s expectancy theory
Both models suggest that results or motivation are multiplicative. It suggest if any component is zero, the outcome is zero. For example:
- No belief → no motivation.
- No desire → no action.
- No persistence → no results.
Comparison with Locke and Latham’s Goal-Setting Theory of Motivation
Tracy’s model is more motivational and personal-development oriented, while Goal Theory is more empirical and widely used in organizational psychology and education.
Comparison with Interest Theory of Motivation
The similarities of Brian Tracy’s proposition with Interest Theory in motivation psychology is especially in how personal relevance and engagement drive effort and achievement.
If you look closely on the motivation theories and Brian Tracy’s Universal equation of results, it focuses on tangible, observable and measurable results. Their propositions are built on:
- Observable outcomes: Success, achievement, satisfaction.
- Cognitive-emotive-behavioral links: Thoughts and feelings lead to actions.
- Feedback loops: Tangible results reinforce motivation.
How do these motivational theories and concepts related to us as Muslims?
The motivational theories work well in environments where results are measurable, such as education, business, or personal development and can be manifested behaviorally such as satisfaction (cognitive and emotional, it can manifest behaviorally through gratitude, generosity, or calmness). But In Islam, contentment (qana’ah) and inner peace (sakinah) are signs of spiritual success, even if worldly results are absent and only with Allah’s blessing that we can achieve qana’ah and sakinah.
Islamic motivation includes intangible rewards, unseen accountability, delayed gratification and faith-based belief.
- Intangible rewards: Jannah (Paradise), Allah’s pleasure, barakah (blessing).
Some verses:
In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:25), Allah describes the rewards in a form of Paradise:
“And give good tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that for them are gardens in Paradise, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are provided with a fruit therefrom, they will say, ‘This is what we were provided with before.’ And they will be given things in resemblance, and they will have therein purified companions, and they will abide therein eternally.” (2. 25)
2. Unseen accountability: Actions are judged by intention (niyyah), sincerity (ikhlas), and obedience.
Some verses related to this aspect:
The Quran mentions in several verses that every individual will be held accountable for their deeds.
“And every soul will be held accountable for what it has done.” (3: 182)
3. Delayed gratification: resisting immediate temptation for a greater long-term reward is deeply embedded in the Quran, especially in verses that emphasize patience (ṣabr), self-restraint (taqwā), and the pursuit of the Hereafter over worldly desires.
Some verses related to this aspect:
The Quran mentions in several verses that perseverance and endurance while remain fearful towards Allah is essential for success.
“O you have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed (or steadfast) and fear Allah that you may be successful” (3: 200)
4. Faith-based belief: Total reliance of our trust in Allah’s wisdom, blessing and justice, even without worldly validation.
Some verses related to this aspect:
“Say, ‘Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector.’ And upon Allah let the believers rely.” (9: 51)
As human being, it is challenging to hope for intangible rewards and totally in reliance and subservience towards Allah because our senses have to be convinced with the worldly rewards and wonder. However, Allah does not stop us from seeking worldly pleasure as long as we acknowledge, understand and accept what we possess and have are based on His Blessing and it is never ours on a first place.
