Contrived desperation?? I don't think it's possible. If you're going to be genuinely desperate you can't have any choices. Desperation involves a lot more than money. You can't fake yourself into fear, hurt, depression, anger yet these drive many successful people. That's why a lot of them either a) are never satisfied or b) get even more messed up when excess money enters their lives.

Always being honest with yourself and developing continuous and methodical discipline that leads toward your goal is the best approach I can think of.