Studies show that if a person is offered a bonus reward or push, he or she is more likely to complete the goal as he has been provided with a further incentive and help to reach a stage where his reward is within his sights.
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The Goal Gradient hypothesis states that we push harder or are motivated to exert more by the fact that the goal is almost within reach.
The knowledge that the desired outcome or reward is almost attained is a ‘pull factor’ in our effort.
Marketers use this to nudge us towards buying a certain product or service, providing us with a goal that is almost within our grasp.
Example: When enrolled in a buy ten get one free coffee program, the person who has just one coffee to complete ten, is motivated to buy it as the free coffee is now imminent.
This helps us manage our motivation, as it focuses our energy and motivation.
The downside is that we are focused on the goal in front of us and are now shortsighted or blinded with regards to other future goals which may be important.
A great way to manage your projects and goals is to have a detached mindset about them while trying to sort and prioritize them.
After the sorting, take the most important goals from the list and figure out ways to make them more immediate and attainable.
RELATED IDEAS
In a study, people who see grass as greener on the other side predict higher happiness with future success. Participants that reacted like Aesop's fox would try to distance themselves from failure. It suggests that initial failure made people underestimate how good it would feel to succeed.
Electronic communication is efficient, but it's detached. Sitting at a computer screen, the need for tact and a respectful tone disappears.