How to Engineer a Mindset that Outpaces External Rewards
From a very young age, we are taught or conditioned to work for external rewards such as good grades, promotions, praise, and recognition. These rewards guide our behavior and shape our thoughts. Although recognition and other external rewards feel nice and may boost confidence, they can lead to feelings of being unfulfilled, incomplete, and not good enough. This is especially the case when the applause fades or the expected external rewards are missing. For that reason, it is necessary to engineer a mindset that outpaces these rewards, independent of validation, and is built on a different set of principles. Read on to learn how to make it happen.
Table of Contents
Limitations of external rewards
How to engineer a different mindset
Conclusion
References
Limitations of external rewards
External rewards are a powerful tool, especially in the business world, but they have several limitations. These include:
● Becoming dependent on rewards to stay motivated
● Loss of effectiveness with time
● Altered priorities in the form of pursuing what is rewarded, not what is meaningful
● Increased vulnerability when self-worth is tied to status and recognition
Relying on external rewards and validation can help with motivation and performance, but it is equally or even more important to consider intrinsic motivation. The term intrinsic motivation refers to performing a certain task or activity for its inherent satisfaction rather than for external rewards. The main goal is to run on a fuel source that doesn’t diminish when circumstances change.
External rewards put a person in a position of always chasing validation from others in order to perform.
How to engineer a different mindset
A mindset that outpaces external rewards allows for pursuing value over metrics and helps bounce back from failure more easily. With this mindset, you can experience a deeper satisfaction from growth itself, the entire process, not just the outcome. The best strategies to engineer such a mindset that outpaces external rewards are described below.
Define your “why”
The most powerful intrinsic motivation comes from your personal why – the reason that isn’t an external reward. Having a personal “why” boosts motivation and gives purpose so that the work you do comes as a calling rather than a job. The sense of purpose keeps you motivated even when rewards stall or disappear.
Knowing your “why” is an important step in figuring out how to achieve your goals. It also gives you the courage to take risks necessary for progress and stay motivated even when you move your life in an entirely different direction.
In order to define your “why,” you need to ask yourself several questions, such as:
● What makes you come alive regardless of the outcome?
● What are your inner strengths?
● How will you measure your life?
● Where do you add the greatest value?
● If no one ever knew you did this, would you still do it?
You may want to write all the answers down on a piece of paper. Once you answer all questions, you’ll learn more about yourself and your true “why” or your motivation.
Focus on the process rather than the outcome
The external reward-driven mind becomes too dependent on the results. Doing so can take a major toll on your confidence and self-esteem, especially in challenging times when rewards aren’t as you’d expect them to be. That’s why it’s important to cultivate a different mindset – an internally driven mind that focuses on the process itself rather than the outcomes.
Changing the focus is all about loving the craft and enjoying the task at hand. It helps you:
● Stay motivated longer because you don’t need constant outcomes to feel progress
● Become more resilient because you’re enjoying the journey
● Improve faster because focusing on the process builds good habits
Strive to be more flexible
A rigid mind is vulnerable in challenging times when plans fail. A flexible mind is more resilient and helps you stay motivated even during hardships. Research suggests that psychological flexibility can help people navigate through life, and it goes hand in hand with other strengths. These include the ability to discern multiple dimensions when assessing people or events, and it moves people from extrinsic motivated actions toward self-determination.
Psychological flexibility is all about staying committed to your values and goals while adapting to setbacks and changing circumstances. It’s not about being positive all the time but being resilient and responsive.
In order to become more flexible, you may want to practice mindfulness and observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment. Another important strategy is to reframe failure as information, not your identity.
This mindset breaks the cycle of being dependent on external rewards and helps you navigate life with curiosity and adaptability.
Separate your identity from performance
A major trap of a mindset that focuses on external rewards is identity fusion, where a person believes they are their results. They tie their identity to the performance and results they achieve. Doing so leads to perfectionism, fear-driven behavior, stress, and burnout. That happens due to the constant need to chase results and feeling like a failure when they’re missing.
In order to engineer a mindset that outpaces external rewards, it is necessary to separate your worth from your work. Develop a strong sense of self that includes your values, creativity, relationships, and emotional life. Your sense of self shouldn’t focus on achievements. Although it’s wonderful to be successful, your performance at work, sports, and other aspects of life is not your identity. Your identity is a sum of many traits, experiences, thoughts, and emotions.
Conclusion
Depending on external rewards puts too much stress on a person. You get into a state where you constantly chase for results in order to get the rewards to feel validated and appreciated. Such a mindset can take its toll on the overall quality of life. Fortunately, it’s possible to engineer a different mindset – the one that focuses on your intrinsic motivation, real values, and true identity. This mindset prioritizes enjoying the process and adapting to challenges more successfully.