We are afraid of the unknown, which is why we are resistant to being pushed. If someone or something pushes us, we resist, we don't want to be thrust into unknown territory. But we will not explore new things if we are satisfied with where we are, some push or pull must still be working on us to make us explore new ground. You can try to offer someone something better than what they have, or you can threaten them with pain for staying where they are. Carrot and stick, pull and push.
Some people feel certain kinds of pain more acutely than others.
Some very few are born without the ability to feel physical pain, it doesn't help them at all, they very often seriously hurt themselves without being aware of it. Some are attracted to certain things more acutely than others. I have little attraction to money, for example. Never cared much about it. When I worked a regular job, I remember being offered to work overtime for more money.