40) A Reward System

Most people will work harder — and even over-deliver — when there’s something at the end of the rainbow. That’s why successful businesspeople and entrepreneurs outline their goals from A to Z.

Reward systems aren’t just for business either; they matter in every area of life.

It’s part of the reason I compete in bodybuilding shows, powerlifting meets, and magazine photoshoots. There’s a date on the calendar, and I know there’s a reward at the end of the tunnel.

So many people trip out on this concept and never implement it. They don’t realize how much of a difference it can make. It doesn’t even have to be something material — it just has to work for you.

What actually moves the needle for you? You know yourself better than anyone.

Dangle the carrot, then go get it. Think about the compounded effect of running a reward system in every area of your life. What does that stack up to over a month, a year, or a decade?

Your actions will compound, you’ll keep hitting goals, and you’ll get the carrot. 

Sometimes the carrot gets big. And when that happens, understand this: it won’t fully fill you up. Material rewards are short bursts of gratification. But if something truly matters to you, like a watch, for example, it can serve as a daily reminder of what you accomplished.

This is about loving the process and pursuing happiness through it. It’s about discovering what you’re willing to do, repeatedly, to become better.

Figure out what you want to make happen. Set an attainable goal that still pushes you. When you reach it, book it, buy it, or earn it. Then move on to the next thing.

Run this process consistently, and the results can be insane.