From the point of view of the individual it’s pretty soul destroying – as you say, with people doing work they dislike. And from the point of view of the business it’s not very smart and tends to obscure the activities that really do add value and have meaning.

I suspect a little more is needed to change the way business is done than me writing about it from time to time, but you got to start somewhere

@Chris Thanks! Maybe conventional wisdom is not always very wise!

@Trey I think the conclusion I was trying to get to (and thanks for the push back on that!) is from 2 sides:

First, the importance of always being clear for myself what motivates me to do the things I do and to be wary whenever I’m doing something for the external reward, losing sight of the activity itself. Whenever I do that I’m likely to be putting the power of my happiness in the hands of someone else.

Second, the way I get people to do what I want them to do (and I’m especially aware of my role as father here, though not only). When I use reward and punishment then it’s possible the other does what I want out of fear or greed – and probably not because they actually want to do it . And I’d prefer things to be done from a different energy than either of those.

You wrote that almost everything we do is for selfish reasons. I’ll go out on a limb here and say I believe EVERYTHING we do is for selfish reasons in that we’re always trying to meet our needs.

I would add that I also think many of our needs are met when we’re in service of other people. Paradoxically, I think we’d be less isolated and more compassionate if we’re constantly checking what our selfish motivations are. Btw ’selfish’ has a lot of negative connotations which I think is a great pity!

@Hypnosisadmin many thanks for the visit and the comment. I agree that reward itself is not bad, and, yes, I’m also suggesting not to use it! In my opinion (and experience), reward is not necessary if the activity is both meaningful and I can find a way to do it joyfully. It also sets up a ‘power over’ relationship, something else I’d like to see change to ‘power with’ in the way we organise ourselves.

If I can’t find either meaning or joy in what I’m doing then reward might indeed be helpful getting things done – but then I question why I would want to do such things?

I completely understand where you’re coming from. However, this might be a subject that I need to meditate on a little bit. I’m trying to figure out what you conclusion is, since you acknowledge that the positive aspects you get from you work is like a “reward”. The best I can conclude is that we should find contentment within ourselves and our actions, and stop looking to others for validation and stop looking to others to supply us of our needs.

This is an interesting idea, and is certainly an empowering idea. My concern is that if we take out the concept of “rewards”, then we gradually spiral into isolationism. Certainly there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the benefit of other people’s company, yet one might look upon this interaction as a “reward”. And only the most naively optimistic of people would believe that when a person does a good deed, that they aren’t hoping for good to return to them. I don’t think that there’s anything wrong with doing something in hope of a reward. I feel that this is the way that the human brain works… that almost everything we do, we do for selfish reasons.

The trick is balance selfishness with selflessness. If you are seeking a reward, ask yourself what it is that you want and who can provide it for you? Now turn that around and ask yourself what you have the power to provide, and who might want it? No matter who you are, you have the power to “reward” someone else, even if it’s nothing more than a compliment. However, if you are empowered to give more, or much more, than it’s only right to do so. You never know who is empowered to reward you with what you need or want, and by giving selflessly, you might inspire others to do the same.

Whether people can change their thinking in these situations I do not know. I am reminded of the three stonemasons who were supposed to be working for Michelangelo. One saw his work as a job, one as a skill he was developing and the third as working to build a great cathedral to God.

The key point is that only we ourselves can change our thinking about motivation, but where necessary, the world of work could help more by giving tasks which motivate in themselves.

@Stephen I’m using it here in the sense of reward given by someone else, which I believe is the original meaning of the word. Apparently it has medieval origins meaning to repay some service. However, you’re right that it’s also become common to use it in a broader context.

I’m now wondering if this is perhaps a clever trick. If I can be encouraged to buy the concept of reward even for those things I do for myself that make me feel good, then it gives even more credibility to the extrinsic use of reward. In other words – are we being gradually conditioned to only do things where there is a reward involved? Are we being slowly weaned off the idea that it’s most pleasurable to do things because it contributes to our well being and the well being of others? Hmmmm …. I need to dwell on this some more.

Thanks for the stimulation, Stephen. Much appreciated!