Day 8 - Are You Rewarding Yourself with Failure?
Too often, we sabotage our success by treating ourselves with the very habits we aim to break.
Success Requires Discipline
Achieving your goals, whether it's studying more or breaking a bad habit, demands discipline. If you reward yourself with behaviours that conflict with your objectives, you’re undermining your own progress. Imagine trying to cut down on screen time, only to reward yourself with extra TV after a productive day. This inconsistency kills momentum and halts the formation of new, positive habits.
Momentum is Your Best Asset
Building momentum is like compounding interest; it needs consistency to grow. Interrupting this process by indulging in counterproductive rewards is like withdrawing from your investments too early. For example, if you’re trying to eat healthier, rewarding yourself with junk food undoes your hard work. The real gains come from sustained, uninterrupted efforts that solidify new habits.
Rewards Should Propel, Not Derail
Misaligned rewards can derail your progress, creating a cycle of one step forward, two steps back. If you’re saving money, splurging on an expensive item as a reward is counterproductive. Instead, choose a reward that fuels your progress. For example, if you've been diligent with your savings, reward yourself with a book that offers financial insights or a course that enhances your skills. Like reinvesting dividends, these aligned rewards help maintain and accelerate your progress.
Align Rewards with Your Goals
Your rewards should amplify your efforts, not contradict them. If your goal is fitness, rewarding yourself with new workout gear or a massage supports your journey. This is akin to reinvesting profits back into a growing business. When rewards align with your long-term objectives, they reinforce motivation and drive sustained progress.
Takeaway
I see many examples in my own life and in others where the very thing we try to avoid or do less of acts as a reward. We have a cheat meal because we have done so well working out this week for example. What if we created a new reality one that has a positive flywheel where your rewards further fuel the pursuit you want most over the short term indulgences and detractors that we want now. Ask yourself, why am I rewarding myself with the very thing I am trying to overcome or become greater than.