Some people like to pretend that rewards are really only for children, but the fact is that anyone who’s ever promised themselves a takeaway after finishing a long work day knows that’s not true… Rewards are actually part of how humans stay motivated, and they help us push through boring tasks, celebrate progress, and feel like our efforts actually lead somewhere. Kids respond to it quickly, but adults aren’t all that much different – we just make our rewards seem a bit more grown up. 

The best part about rewards is how they can gently change people’s behaviour without making life feel hard or controlled because instead of enforcing discipline, they’re encouraging people to keep going and be consistent, and they make effort feel like it’s really worth it. That’s why rewards work well for all ages, and if you want to know more, keep reading to find out. 

Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

Rewards Help The Brain Notice Progress

Our brains love a quick win now and then, and when we get a small reward after doing something, especially if it’s a bit challenging or dull, it essentially lights up the areas in the brain linked to satisfaction and motivation. Kids tend to feel that right away (a sticker chart or an extra story before bed can turn a difficult routine into a much easier one, for example), but adults do feel it too, even if our rewards are different, and could be a quiet evening in, a good cup of coffee, or treating ourselves to a new series to binge-watch. 

The reward itself doesn’t matter quite as much as the feeling you get from it, which is great because you don’t have to spend a lot or do anything dangerous or unhealthy to feel the benefits. 

Small Rewards Stop Tasks Feeling Overwhelming

One of the biggest reasons people tend to procrastinate so much is that a task just feels too big. That could be something like a homework assignment for children, for example, and for an adult it could be all the emails they’ve got to answer, the fact their house needs cleaning and decluttering, or basically any maintenance job that’s been waiting for a while. 

One way to deal with this problem is to break the job down into smaller, more manageable tasks and then giving yourself a reward at the end of each step. And don’t think of it as bribery – it’s just a good way to work because you’ll enjoy what you’re doing a lot more, and you’ll feel (and actually be) much more productive. 

Rewards Reinforce Routines Without Pressure

When you’re only using willpower to get on with things that you don’t like all that much, the entire routine you’re trying to set up will probably fall apart. When that happens, most people think they need more discipline, but the fact is they actually just need a bit of gentle reinforcement, and that’s what’s really going to make a positive difference. If you can stick to a new habit better because you reward yourself with something at the end, then why not? 

Rewards basically make routines a lot easier to deal with, and they make the process much less of a chore and more like something to enjoy, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. 

Rewards Reduce Stress And Build Confidence

When people feel appreciated, they’re going to perform better, and that’s a fact. Children really do well when their effects are acknowledged (even if the results aren’t perfect), and adults do too. And a reward doesn’t have to be anything elaborate – it can be acknowledgement, a break, something fun planned for later, or even a little treat. It’s really the message behind the reward that’s important, and that shows that what you did mattered. 

When you think about it, the rewards children get help them believe they’re capable of doing things they thought were hard at first, and they help adults feel valued, rather than just productive. 

Flexibility Makes Rewards Better

Rigid reward systems don’t last very long, especially for adults – life is busy, and what feels motivating one month might not be so relevant the next. That’s why simple rewards work best because you can change them around if and when you need to so they can fit the situation better. 

So you could say you’re going to have a break after working for a certain amount of time, but not set in stone how that break is going to happen (whether it’s reading a book, going for a walk, taking a nap, and so on), or perhaps you’ve got a drawer full of little treats and you know you’ll have one, but not which one. The simpler the system, the easier it is to benefit from it. 

Freedom Of Choice Makes Rewards More Meaningful

One of the reason why people love rewards is that they offer tiny pockets of freedom, and you’ll have a moment where you get to choose something just for yourself. Kids, for example, feel proud when they can choose their own treat or activity to do as a reward, and as for adults, they’ll enjoy the same feeling when they get to pick how to unwind or celebrate as well. 

Ever something like knowing there are gift vouchers available for a favourite shop or cafe gives people the sense that the reward is actually theirs. Freedom basically gives you more modification because it’s thinking about personal preference rather than offering a one-size-fits-all kind of treat (which is almost impossible to get right). 

Rewards Can Strengthen Relationships Too

When you give someone a reward, no matter what their age is, you’re also giving attention, and that’s going to help children feel more connected because parents are encouraging their progress, for example. And adults feel appreciated when partners or employers take the time to acknowledge their effort. In the end, the reward can be a great way to connect with people, and that’s a great way to build trust and warmth, especially when life gets busy.