It’s undeniable – humans have a natural attraction to the idea of growing rewards. The theory of positive reinforcement itself says you condition your brain to positive responses the more you get rewarded.
Working hard to advance one’s career, getting motivated to go to the gym daily because of the rewarding physique, or building wealth through real estate – humans are always motivated by the idea of starting something small and progressively achieving something great later. This concept of incremental gains isn’t limited to just life but to how we view success and progress.
In this blog, we’ll look deep into the human fascination with growing rewards and the satisfaction in rewarding progress.
The Appeal of Chasing New Goals
There’s something fascinating about building something from scratch instead of just getting it delivered to you by hand. Whether it’s your career, fitness, real estate, or anything else, setting simple goals isn’t about just reaching the finish line but more about the gradual journey, the challenges, and the victories that keep you moving forward.
Different examples of this can be found in games many of us love to play as a part of our entertainment agenda. Simply, we can discuss this psychology in the context of casino games and offers with progressive jackpots. Let’s explain it. The game has been named so because of its nature – the more you play (or the further you go), the more jackpots come along on your way. In other words, there is a progression. This relates to the analogy of how when people see extra stuff or growing jackpots, so to speak, they become more interested in activity whether it’s a daily task, office work, or even shopping in the mall.
The explanation behind this is simple: small, incremental rewards encourage more effort. Many studies have also shown that chasing after purpose is what makes you successful. The daily obstacles you encounter also play a part in helping you set new goals and actively pursue them, and once they are fulfilled, it gives you satisfaction and drive to achieve more goals. That’s why we often encounter many rags-to-riches or struggle-to-fortune stories coming from all parts of the world.
Building Success Brick by Brick
Every vision or dream that one might have needs to be enforced through small, initial steps. This is especially applicable to one’s career goals. You can’t just expect to have a wide network full of successful people and a hefty salary on day one.
It is also not limited to just the corporate ladder. The skills, achievements, and networks all come along in the way of success. Consider this: 44% of Americans with higher family incomes are completely satisfied with their jobs when they offer opportunities for training or development. When people take on more responsibilities and commitment, they get more rewards and feel more satisfied at the end of the day in the long run.
From Small Wins to Major Gains
Another great example is fitness. Many people start their fitness journey not because they want instant results, but because they trust the slow and steady process that gets them the physique or appeal that they are looking for. Studies found that those who gradually increase their physical activity have better long-term fitness results compared to those who go all-in too quickly and burn out.
Imagine the first time you attempt a new workout routine. It might feel almost pointless—lifting light weights or jogging short distances. But as time goes on, these small steps add up, and before you know it, you’re lifting twice the weight you started with or running miles you couldn’t imagine before.
The Power of Incremental Investments
Real estate is perhaps one of the best examples to show when it comes to reaping the benefits of incremental investments. Many investors start small by purchasing their first-ever property and then building a portfolio of properties that can generate a lot of wealth. It’s a classic story: someone buys a starter home, and years later, that property has appreciated in value, leading to gains over time.
For instance, the average property investor in the U.S. can expect a return on investment (ROI) of about 8.6% per year, which on its own is a small percentage but compounds to a huge amount after many years.
Even in the space of invention and innovation, the concept of growing rewards was the main motivating factor to complete the job. Every inventor starts with a simple spark of an idea that later becomes something big with a tiny bit of effort from everyone. Think of innovators like Thomas Edison or Steve Jobs, whose early innovations and simple ideas became global successes later on. Even though the reward wasn’t instant, it grew over time as their ideas were refined and applauded by the public.
To Wrap It Up
The concept of growing rewards is what gives humans their purpose and motivation to chase new goals. Whether it’s a simple promotion or sending a well-crafted email to business partners, the incremental gains associated with hard work and perseverance are what keep everyone going and make the day whole again. Life offers many opportunities for those who are willing to invest their time and resources to see small wins lead to big achievements.