Why do we work hard? What drives us to push through difficult tasks, meet deadlines, or pursue long-term goals? While the reasons might vary from person to person, one factor that often plays a significant role is the promise of a reward. Whether it’s a simple treat at the end of a tough day or a bigger incentive for achieving a major goal, rewards can be a powerful motivator. But how do you effectively use rewards to stay motivated without falling into the trap of relying on them too much?
Confidence in your abilities to go after your goals can sometimes be difficult to find or keep.
It can sometimes take time to discover the confidence you have inside you. This can be especially true if you are trying something new.
I have a program that can help you to discover what is holding you back from achieving your goals as well as help you set an attainable goal related to where you are in your life and where you are trying to be.
This program also works with you to build up your confidence in being able to reach your goal.
You can find out more about this program at Confidology, a funny name but a serious program.
You can contact me to talk about this or any other aspect of confidence and success at michael@coachmichaelw.com
Visit the site and read through the program description.
If you are not ready to commit to a full program, I have a self-paced course on Udemy that may be of interest. You can find out about the course and register at Confidence and Motivation Development and Maintenance
The psychology behind rewards is rooted in a concept known as the “reward system.” This is a group of structures in the brain that is activated when we experience something pleasurable. When we anticipate a reward, our brain releases dopamine, which not only makes us feel good but also drives us to take action to achieve that reward. This is why the promise of a reward can be such a strong motivator—it taps directly into our brain’s natural reward pathways, encouraging us to stay focused and keep moving toward our goals.
One of the key benefits of using rewards is that they provide a tangible goal to work toward. This can be particularly effective when motivation starts to wane, or when the task at hand feels overwhelming. By setting up a reward system, you give yourself something to look forward to, which can make the process of working through challenges feel more manageable and even enjoyable.
But not all rewards are created equal. To use rewards effectively, it’s important to choose incentives that are meaningful and proportionate to the task. For smaller, everyday tasks, a small reward like a coffee break, a few minutes of relaxation, or a favourite snack might be enough to keep you motivated. For larger, more challenging goals, consider more significant rewards, such as a special outing, a new purchase, or even a day off.
The timing of rewards is also crucial. Immediate rewards are often more effective than delayed ones because the connection between the task and the reward is clearer. For example, if you complete a difficult assignment, treating yourself to something enjoyable right away can reinforce the positive behavior and make you more likely to repeat it in the future. However, this doesn’t mean that long-term rewards don’t have their place. For bigger goals, setting up a series of smaller rewards along the way can help maintain motivation over time, leading to a larger, more satisfying reward at the end.
It’s also worth considering how you frame your rewards. While it’s tempting to think of rewards as something external—a treat or a gift—you can also use intrinsic rewards, which are the internal satisfaction and pride that come from achieving something. For example, if you finish a project on time, the sense of accomplishment and the knowledge that you’ve done a good job can be a reward in itself. Cultivating an appreciation for these intrinsic rewards can help you stay motivated even when external rewards are less frequent.
However, it’s important to avoid becoming too dependent on rewards. If you rely solely on external incentives, you might find that your motivation falters when the rewards are no longer available or if the rewards lose their appeal. The key is to strike a balance between using rewards to boost motivation and developing the internal drive to achieve your goals regardless of external incentives.
Actionable Step: Identify a task or goal that you’ve been struggling to stay motivated about. Set up a reward system for yourself, choosing rewards that are meaningful and proportionate to the task. Make sure to include both immediate rewards for completing smaller tasks and a larger reward for achieving the overall goal. As you work toward the goal, pay attention to the intrinsic rewards you experience, such as the satisfaction of progress and the pride of accomplishment.
Using rewards effectively can make the difference between feeling stuck and finding the motivation to keep going. They provide a way to break down larger goals into manageable steps, each with its own incentive, which can help you maintain momentum and stay on track. Whether you’re tackling a challenging project at work, working toward a personal goal, or simply trying to get through a tough day, the promise of a reward can be a powerful tool in your motivational toolkit.
But remember, the ultimate goal is to cultivate a balance between external rewards and internal motivation. By learning to appreciate both, you can create a sustainable source of motivation that will carry you through even the toughest challenges.
To talk about any aspect of success or working with a Life Coach to help you to achieve success, you can book a 45-minute call by clicking on the blue button below.
Don’t try to do all of this by yourself, ask and receive the guidance that can get you moving towards your own success.
Nothing happens until action is taken.
To your success.
Michael
P.S Don’t forget to visit Confidology to learn more about the program. If you are not ready to commit to a full program, I have a self-paced course on Udemy that may be of interest. You can find out about the course and register at Confidence and Motivation Development and Maintenance
P.P.S if you want to find out more about my programs just check out the site Confidence and Life Coaching
P.P.P.S. If you enjoy reading these articles on my blog, I have more books that have more of this type of information that you can find out more about at Books to Read. You can buy these ebooks at many on-line book stores. The links to the bookstores are at the link above.
If you have an Amazon Kindle account, there are different books at Amazon – Michael W (author)
Photo by Andre Benz on Unsplash
