Carrot or Stick?

How Do You Motivate Yourself and Why Does It Matter

Do you feel a pull TOWARDS a goal (pleasure) or is it more a move AWAY from undesirable consequences (pain)?. Your tendency will profoundly affect many aspects of our life. If pain or reward are big enough - all of us will eventually move away or towards. But how does it work in your day-to-day life?

Do you know your type of default? Take this short quiz and find out. Choose the best response that describes you:

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* 1. I would rather:

Not finish last in my group while knowing I have no chance of winning

Would not mind being last in my group knowing I could win

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* 2. When my friends tell me I am bad at something, I have to prove them wrong:

Disagree, not really

Agree or most of the time

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* 3. When I play golf (tennis, basketball ...) my primary thoughts are:

Hit it "there", calm, think ...

Don't hit it "there", stop moving, don't think that thought ...

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* 4. The main reason I practice (sport, instrument ...) is that:

I want to get better

I have to show an improvement before the next lesson

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* 5. I play better (golf, tennis ...) when I know there will be a recognition at the end:

Yes - it helps. I do it often or always.

Not really or never

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* 6. I perform better when I get compliments:

Agree or mostly agree

Never or very rarely

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* 7. It is hard for me to focus after negative feedback:

Most of the time or always

Not really or never

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* 8. If my coach told me I have to hit 100 balls when practicing every day to reach my target, I would be annoyed with him:

Agree

Disagree

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* 9. I find it difficult to cope with negative feedback

Almost never

Most of the time

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* 10. When dealing with kids, I often (fill in the blank) to make them do what I want:

tell them what will happen if they don't do it

tell them what their reward is when they do it