Normally when we think about the fact that we can do something we love after we finish our job, we would feel excited.
Jeroen Nawijn and others from Breda University of Applied Sciences have conducted a research in which participants rated their present happiness level. It is found that the participants’ happiness level increased immediately just by planning their trips.This condition is found to last for 8 weeks. After their trips, their happiness level dropped back towards their respective original level. As for participants who peaked their happiness level during the trip, their happiness returned to original level in two weeks’ time.
It is found that rewards can make people happy, but only when the work is in progress. After the target is reached, the effect will be lost gradually.
If you want to improve or maintain your work motivation, rewards can be used, but it should be kept in mind that this method will only work for 8 weeks on average.
Therefore, by thinking of a reward for yourself two months in advance, you can boost your motivation before you can receive the reward.