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Which is the bigger motivator: fears or rewards?

by Tristan Lee
49 replies
If someone said they were going to punish me, I would be motivated to finish the task they assigned to me. If someone said they were going to give me a thousand dollars, I would also be motivated to finish the same task they assigned to me.

If you had to choose one, which path of motivation would you choose to take action and get things done - the punishment route or the rewards route?

Which one do you think is a bigger motivator for people in general - fear or rewards, and why?
#bigger #fears #motivator #rewards
  • Profile picture of the author KatyaSenina
    This is a hard one, but worth thinking about.

    Ok, lets say someone told me..."You're dead in two days if you don't get your business running like crazy right now" (I'm exaggerating a little bit)

    Or "I give you 100.000 dollars if you get off your butt and start running your business today"

    I'm thinking hard but I'm still not sure which one will do it for me. Obviously I don't want to die but I also don't want the 100.000 dollar to go wasted.

    Why are you asking such difficult questions? :p
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    • Profile picture of the author Liane Fitzpatrick
      As much as I would like to say rewards are a more effective motivator, fear wins hands down. Fear not only motivates in the moment but it infects the mind with doubt, kind of like a brain bruise that doesn't go away. I think that is derived from evolution and the concept of survival of the fittest. Eat or be eaten. Personally, I would love the universe to evolve where we were all motivated by the personal reward of self pride, I'm still hoping!
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  • Profile picture of the author KatyaSenina
    Ok wait if I change the 100.000 dollars from my story to 1000 dollar, then my first example would be a bigger motivator
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  • Profile picture of the author Antony103
    i think its moderation of both, i fear the worst of becoming nothing more than a IM wannabe....

    on the other hand

    I also am motivated by the whole IM dream...
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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
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    Generally speaking, I would say that fear is the stronger motivating force. Why? Because while being motivated to eat berries (and other good stuff) is important - it's not as important as running away from a lion. Make sense?

    Then there's environmental conditioning from childhood where most people learned that doing something wrong resulted in more emotional intensity than doing something right. So that's what they "remembered." Personally, I'm motivated by both fear and rewards depending on the circumstances.

    Great question, by the way. Thanks for posting it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ruth P
    It's a really tough one. In the short term definitely fear - like what's mentioned above. BUT in the world of IM, I think fear of not succeeding, not earning etc only leads you comparing yourself to others too much, and eventually you'll burn out. The rewards in the long term would probably be a better motivation.
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    • Profile picture of the author Neil Barrett
      I think the rewards should be the motivating factor but generally aren't.

      For example I think the majority of people think negatively for example "I don't want to fail at this as it may cost me $1000" then in that example your focus will be on losing the $1000 however if you think "I will succed at this as it will make me a $1000" then you will be focusing on success and therefore much more likey to succeed.

      Sports Psycholgists have made millions with this thought process and it must work or they wouldn't be so in demand.

      Using Golf as an example .. If a player stands on the tee and thinks "don't hit it in the pond" what is likley to happen? However if he thinks "Hit it straight down the fairway" he is more likely to do just that.

      So back to the original question rewards should always be the motivator as success will be more likely.

      At least that my point of view anyway
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      • Profile picture of the author DavidPotts
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        • Profile picture of the author Completely Mental
          If you are considering the original question from a marketing point of view, i.e. Which is going to be the biggest motivator to my potential clients, or which way should I shape my sales material in order to secure more sales, it's a very interesting point and one that has been the centre of years worth of research and development.

          I suspect you can find an equal amount of statistics to prove the argument for both sides of the equation, so maybe it is worth considering what motivates you to buy or how you like to be sold to.

          Some products, like insurance are typically sold by trying to move the prospect away from pain while other products such as vacations, are sold by moving the customer towards pleasure. Perhaps consider which approach suits your product best.

          Personally, I always like to try and move my prospects towards a point of pleasure, but that just sits better with my personality and I like to spread feelings of happiness and well being rather than fear and despair.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tristan Lee
      Originally Posted by Ruth P View Post

      It's a really tough one. In the short term definitely fear - like what's mentioned above. BUT in the world of IM, I think fear of not succeeding, not earning etc only leads you comparing yourself to others too much, and eventually you'll burn out. The rewards in the long term would probably be a better motivation.
      Interesting point here. So you think fear is more of a short-term deal, while rewards gives you more long term motivation?

      I kind of agree with you since you want to have that burst of emotion that gets you to take action, but you don't always want to feel motivated by a negative source of energy or you'll burn up, like the above person said. I guess that's where the rewards motivation comes in, but I think you could also view it through the other side as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ruth P
    Yeah, sometimes that negativity can actually work in your favour. I guess kind of the way in which some people work so hard when they have to cram the night before an exam, or with a deadline coming up. That's how I was seeing it, which is why I think in the long run my business won't succeed if I'm always working like that, to the point of stress.

    That said, everyone is different. Some people literally need stress to function best.
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  • Profile picture of the author classifiedpvas
    I'd say I'm one of those who needs stress to work.

    When everything is peachy, I get complacent.

    That's why sometimes I initiate the drama in my life.
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    • Profile picture of the author achivement84
      Hey, Nice post

      I think both routes should be considered , norally i fear from failure for that i always to finish my tasks on perfect way , but in the same time i finish this tasks to gain some monetary benefits , so it`s mixed fear and rewards both together can motivate me.
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    • Profile picture of the author robinpike
      This is a very interesting concept to admit to. It is great to see that you are aware of it and after reading this I believe I am the exact same way...just never thought about it this way. Very interesting...thanks for sharing!!

      Originally Posted by classifiedpvas View Post

      I'd say I'm one of those who needs stress to work.

      When everything is peachy, I get complacent.

      That's why sometimes I initiate the drama in my life.
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  • Profile picture of the author Albus25
    It's really hard to say which is bigger


    Fears may destroy your will and make you run away
    Rewards may make you greedy and influence your work if the rewards of this work is low.

    The key is to find balance between fears and rewards
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  • Profile picture of the author mark z
    Interesting question, Tristan.

    Although it might seem that fear is bigger motivation in short term, I think reward absolutely wins on long term.
    Basically, it is all about point of view.
    Every decision making situation gives us at least two options to choose from.
    Option which expresses our deepest wishes will always have better chance to succeed.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tristan Lee
      Originally Posted by mark z View Post

      Interesting question, Tristan.

      Although it might seem that fear is bigger motivation in short term, I think reward absolutely wins on long term.
      Basically, it is all about point of view.
      Every decision making situation gives us at least two options to choose from.
      Option which expresses our deepest wishes will always have better chance to succeed.
      You hit on a good point here Mark. I think whether it's fears or rewards, whichever option "hits" us will be the more likely one to motivate us more. Since I'm about to go to bed right now and my body is almost on shut-down mind, I can't currently think of any examples. What do others think though?
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  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    Fear of loss is by a looong-shot a bigger motivator than desire
    for gain. Of course, many sales appeals combine both.

    You'll make a lot more money incorporating some element of
    fear or fear of loss in your marketing. Satisfied people don't buy
    stuff - unsatisfied, ones do. Simple as that.

    If you are selling cruises it may strike you as a pleasure-only
    thing, but study how such things are sold and you'll see that
    fear-of-loss is used often - fear that you'll miss out on a
    special bargain, or not get the best cabin if you don't act
    right away.

    Men and women value what they have more than what they
    don't have - and they'll go to much farther lengths to protect
    what they have than they will to acquire more.

    Hence, investments are really sold as a means of protecting
    wealth, not gaining it. The protection of the wealth is the
    dominant factor in most mainstream investment stuff.

    When you get into the desire for gain stuff, you get into
    high-risk, speculative investments, which most investors
    shun because.... they are afraid of losing what they
    have.

    This is fundamental copywriting stuff. You have to get these
    things into your bones to construct effective offers. Of course
    many good offers layer multiple emotions and reasons-to-buy,
    but the fundamentals come down to:

    -Fear
    -greed
    -Exclusivity
    -Guilt
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    • Profile picture of the author Tristan Lee
      Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye View Post

      Fear of loss is by a looong-shot a bigger motivator than desire
      for gain. Of course, many sales appeals combine both.

      You'll make a lot more money incorporating some element of
      fear or fear of loss in your marketing. Satisfied people don't buy
      stuff - unsatisfied, ones do. Simple as that.

      If you are selling cruises it may strike you as a pleasure-only
      thing, but study how such things are sold and you'll see that
      fear-of-loss is used often - fear that you'll miss out on a
      special bargain, or not get the best cabin if you don't act
      right away.

      Men and women value what they have more than what they
      don't have - and they'll go to much farther lengths to protect
      what they have than they will to acquire more.

      Hence, investments are really sold as a means of protecting
      wealth, not gaining it. The protection of the wealth is the
      dominant factor in most mainstream investment stuff.

      When you get into the desire for gain stuff, you get into
      high-risk, speculative investments, which most investors
      shun because.... they are afraid of losing what they
      have.

      This is fundamental copywriting stuff. You have to get these
      things into your bones to construct effective offers. Of course
      many good offers layer multiple emotions and reasons-to-buy,
      but the fundamentals come down to:

      -Fear
      -greed
      -Exclusivity
      -Guilt
      Hey Loren, thanks for this descriptive post. I agree that fear of loss is a bigger motivator than fear of gain, but most people fear the fear of loss itself...
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  • Profile picture of the author clicktechs
    I think they are two very different things, and it also deeply depends on the person. I feel sure someone would work much harder if the punishment was very extreme.
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  • Profile picture of the author doctfeelgood
    Really good question, thanks for posting it?

    My opinion in regards to your question is that they are both fear, the fear of doing a job because of punishment and the fear of finishing something for money is also fear rather than a reward, as you get rewards in both examples.

    The senario's you have given are but the same just different sides of the pole? Because if you did not finish the job......You would be frightened of getting punished. Then on the other hand if you were offered a reward for doing a job well done.....you would strive to do it for the fear of failure?

    So as far as i see it both fears just different perceptions.
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  • Profile picture of the author Vendetta
    Fear is for sure the bigger motivator hands down.

    The fact is I know if i sit down for a year straight and work on my im plan, I will be punching out a minimum of 200k a year far more likely a mil or better.
    and yet I dont get on it day in and day out.

    Now if someone after i got out my car and started walking to my condo, came up to me with a gun and stole my id(like in fight club) asked me my name and what I wanted to do with my life and then said if I am not working on it by tomorrow and I don't continue working on it until I achieve my goal they are going to come back and SHOOT ME DEAD. I think I would get the &*^& up Tomorrow and work harder then I have ever worked in my life. Thoughts of watching movies hanging with friends and smokin the reefer would all be outa my mind.... GOd I wish someone would do that and mean it :\
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  • Profile picture of the author raphaellive1986
    I would rather not choose the punished side because of fear there is no free will and it really hurts. It is better to be on the rewarded side because when you think of positive conditions, the results would be positive plus you do a positive reinforcement to a person. I am sure the best will truly come out naturally.
    No feelings of fear and guilt...
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  • Profile picture of the author thefallsman
    Normally reward is a better motivator for me in some cases i think extreme fear is more motivating than reward. Like the fear of losing family or something is a great motivator but in general, I think operating on fear is depressing
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  • Profile picture of the author testaccount1234567
    This is an excellent question and it's something a lot of internet marketers will actually have to ask themselves.

    You hear a lot of rag to riches stories where people had like literrally 8 bucks to their name and they turned it around and made millions.

    The motivation for those people was that they had to do something or else they were going to starve. They didn't really have a choice because the alternative was so bad. Their backs were againts the wall.

    The other form of motivation is when you have other reasons you want to succeed. Family is usually a big one and so is competition.

    Most marketers start off with their backs againts the wall, they simply have to make it work but when they do and they start seeing some success to the point where they don't NEED to make money they can lose their motivation and actually get into a downward spiral.

    That's why its soo important to define your WHY. Because that will keep you going when you lose your motivation and also to keep setting new goals and challenging yourself because one of the most common things people do when they become successful is say "Ok so now what?"

    If you don't have an answer you can easily slip back to where you started or worse.

    Excellent thread, everyone should sit down and define their WHY and constantly set new goals to achieve.

    Awesome post dude.

    Tristan
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    • Profile picture of the author zahra
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  • Profile picture of the author Hesaidblissfully
    Fear. If you look at some of the extreme things people have done to save their own lives or the lives of loved ones, vs. things that people have done for a reward, fear wins out.

    Case in point: Have people sawed off their own limbs or eaten another human being in order to save their own life? Yes.

    Would you saw off a limb or eat another person for a million dollars? I sure hope not
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    • Profile picture of the author Hesaidblissfully
      Oh, having said the above, I certainly think it's BETTER, especially in terms of business and general success, to be motivated by the desire for reward rather than by fear.
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      • Profile picture of the author LauriNiskasaari
        Well, both of them work as a motivators...

        ...But if you act upon your fear, your actions sort of reflect the fear and at some level you feel bad.

        That`s why the bigger motivator,in my opinion, is reward.
        When you have that inner vision of the reward and start acting upon that though in means of getting it, you will begin to feel great!

        -Lauri
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  • Profile picture of the author jonrpatrick
    Tony Robbins points out it's fear that is the stronger motivator. Fear of failure will push us to procrastination, while as the deadline approaches, fear of ridicule will push us to finish.
    I believe, although I seldom succeed, that the trick is to set our own goals and deadlines so we are controlling our fear and using it to drive us.
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  • Profile picture of the author frankgotgame818
    Number one motivator for me is fear. Fear motivates the heck out of me, I've accomplished some amazing things because my fear was right on my butt ready to take a huge chunk out of it if what needed to be done was not done.

    When I'm told I'm not good enough, smart enough, tough enough etc. Look out because I love proving someone wrong about me.

    I'm thinking plenty of people get their motivations to act the same way.

    Frank C
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    • Profile picture of the author Tristan Lee
      So the consensus that I got from this thread was that fear is the bigger motivator, but it doesn't feel good to work while you feel fear inside of you the entire time.

      On the other hand, rewards is the lesser of the motivator, but it feels much more better to work in this state rather than feeling the state of fear inside of you?

      Interesting responses so far, thanks everyone.
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  • Profile picture of the author Arun Kumar
    I can frankly say that fear is the biggest motivator for me and second motivator would be rewards.
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  • Profile picture of the author Marx Melencio
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    • Profile picture of the author Tristan Lee
      Originally Posted by Marx Melencio View Post


      Fear as motivation can possibly (1) produce other avenues to fear then (2) instigate acceptance then (3) defiance, or (2) surrender.

      Running away from a lion (driven by the fear of being eaten by the lion) produces the fear of (1) being too weak after running thereby being unable to fight then win, then (2) acceptance since generally: running away from a lion won't do anyone any good because most if not all lions can run faster than most if not all people, plus: lions can climb or jump over obstacles faster and easier than people, so (3) defiance sets in: you fight the lion with anything you have access to at that moment (which would most likely get you killed), or (2) just surrender and be eaten by the lion.

      I believe reward as motivation can (1) produce initiative from most if not all people facing dangerous situations to plan then (2) act accordingly within logic and reason.

      If you were picking berries for your family to eat, it would be logical to presume there would be lions or other threats around if you're in an unsafe place (far from home) where berries abound, so (1) you carry weapons, a custom map, clothes, extra food and water, etc. to protect yourself against lions or any threat then also (2) be driven to actually slay beasts threatening your survival than just warding them off since (a) you'll be going home with skins and furs to keep your family warm plus more meat to eat, and (b) it would be a long walk to your home, the safest place to be, and it would be possible to encounter them again while you're on your way home (you'll be dead tired by then to fight them again, and those beasts recover faster than humans), so it would be better to (a) reduce the chances of encountering them again by slaying them the first time around (at the time you feel best), and (b) take your chances by going home with more rewards despite the risks involved than taking the same risks with just berries to bring home for your family.

      I reckon (1) having a mental picture of all rewards you can get can greatly help when planning something, then (2) constantly getting those rewards while implementing your plans motivates you to continue what you're doing, and (3) the fear of losing some or most if not all of those rewards would push you to improve and expand your plans to other ventures that can provide steadily growing sources of rewards then make you act accordingly to actually get those additional constant sources of rewards.
      Hi Marx. Thank you for this example on fears and rewards using the analogy of lions and berries.
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      • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
        Hey Tristan!
        Great thought provoking thread!

        After much thought and reading through the responses, I would have to say...Reward!

        We are speaking of IM marketing and I've never really had a lion cause me fear on the net, and since I am my own boss, I like myself to much to give myself threats, LOL!

        I find my work rewarding just because I love what I do, and that deeplly motivates me!

        If I make a little money that's great, if I make a lot of money, that's awesome!!

        But either way, doing what I love to do is rewarding in any aspect!

        I vote for rewards!

        MissTerraK
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        • Profile picture of the author Tristan Lee
          Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

          Hey Tristan!
          Great thought provoking thread!

          After much thought and reading through the responses, I would have to say...Reward!

          We are speaking of IM marketing and I've never really had a lion cause me fear on the net, and since I am my own boss, I like myself to much to give myself threats, LOL!

          I find my work rewarding just because I love what I do, and that deeplly motivates me!

          If I make a little money that's great, if I make a lot of money, that's awesome!!

          But either way, doing what I love to do is rewarding in any aspect!

          I vote for rewards!

          MissTerraK
          Haha, I am not surprised that you chose reward. You have such an enthusiastic attitude! I think that's great because choosing the side of rewards as a motivator brings out more positivity while doing work than working because of fear. Thanks for this!
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          • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
            Originally Posted by Tristan Lee View Post

            Haha, I am not surprised that you chose reward. You have such an enthusiastic attitude! I think that's great because choosing the side of rewards as a motivator brings out more positivity while doing work than working because of fear. Thanks for this!
            Thank you, kind sir!

            I love finding the threads you start because they are very thought provoking and some actually cause an inner soul searching!

            These are very good things, because otherwise, sometimes we tend to forget!

            MissTerraK
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  • Profile picture of the author Mya
    Fear is a motivator both good and bad, people do things in fear of not being able to live a good life and people don't do things because they fear success or failure.

    The world pretty much ticks to the beat of a fear clock and soooo much time gets wasted and so many dreams fail because of fear in some way or another.
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  • Profile picture of the author theemperor
    Originally Posted by Tristan Lee View Post

    If someone said they were going to punish me, I would be motivated to finish the task they assigned to me. If someone said they were going to give me a thousand dollars, I would also be motivated to finish the same task they assigned to me.
    Can I mess things up by introducing a third motivator?

    This motivator is what makes people do things like play golf, visit friends, go on holidays and eat tasty deserts.

    Enjoyment!

    That is probably the big long term motivator - if you can find a way of enjoying it then it does help I think, but many of the IM tasks are tedious. Thats why I'm here and not on EZA right now - i mean who enjoys the EZA experience of writing a masterpiece and then being critised and rejected by some javascript, but I digress.
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  • Profile picture of the author thomashoi
    Originally Posted by Tristan Lee View Post

    If someone said they were going to punish me, I would be motivated to finish the task they assigned to me. If someone said they were going to give me a thousand dollars, I would also be motivated to finish the same task they assigned to me.

    If you had to choose one, which path of motivation would you choose to take action and get things done - the punishment route or the rewards route?

    Which one do you think is a bigger motivator for people in general - fear or rewards, and why?
    This is an interesting question so i will be giving some of my views on it.

    I confess my main motivation in life is rewards, in fact, it will be strictly money. When i was young, my parents always motivate me to do well in my studies by "bribing me", giving me monetary rewards.... So this has been built into me for many years....

    In fact, the reason i joined IM is also because of the money I can make at the
    comfort of my home.... But for the past few years, i have read lots of articles, forum posts, books and interviews on successful people and i came to a conclusion.......

    Successful people are motivated by rewards - but here's the twist, It's always about
    Adding value to people's life AND NOT about making millions.... When these successful people help a person to solve a problem, they get satisfaction from improving a person's life.

    This revelation has such an impact on me that I have changed my rewards from money to adding values to people's life... I felt great after adopting this mind set and have since stopped worry about how much money i can make from IM.

    What about motivated by fears? I have some in this especially when i quit my job and do IM full time.... initially, it was like "how to pay bills at end of month with no job?" "IM is not giving me enough money" should i have been motivated by fears, I would have stopped IM, go and get a full time job and probably go for my degree, master and PHd to get a better job....

    i think it's scary when you are motivated by fears when in business.... you give up way before getting the reward...
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  • Profile picture of the author TSc
    Fear or greed - its all a question of the level.

    Both coud be a strong or a weak motivator, related to the intensity the come with.


    Fear of death is a greater motivator then the greed for 10 Dollar.
    But the earning of enough money to feed my family for years in only a month is a greater motivator then the fear of loosing 10 dollar because of have fun with my daughter instead of answering a customer mail.

    But the most powerfull motivator is the combination of fear and greed.

    I feel it on my own. The fear that there is not enough money to pay all bills from me and my family combined with the greed for a HP Touchsmart TX2 is awesome, only increased by a boaring main job.


    There is only the danger that one of them become so big that it will be palsy you.
    Greed could make you blind and fear could disable you if they pass your personal border.


    So, i hope that my english is good enough that you can understand my crazy mind. (8
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  • Profile picture of the author TSc
    Originally Posted by thewinning View Post

    Rewards is definitely the bigger motivator. Fears can literally stall or stagnate a person not to move forward...
    Surely?

    What is the bigger motivation for an employee:

    1) Getting 10 Bucks for making 20 additional workhours

    2) Don't be fired when making 20 additional workhours

    Hm?

    Its all a question of the level.
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  • Profile picture of the author priyatham
    Definitely fear. Also, it depends on person to person and their thinking. For some people it can be a mix of both.
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    • Profile picture of the author TSc
      Originally Posted by priyatham View Post

      Definitely fear. Also, it depends on person to person and their thinking. For some people it can be a mix of both.

      Surely?

      What is the bigger motivation for an employee:

      1) Getting 10000 Bucks for making 20 additional workhours

      2) Don't be invited to the boring xmas party when not making 20 additional workhours

      Hm?

      Its all a question of the level.
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    • Profile picture of the author letsmakeyourbusinessgrow
      Very powerful forces: fear and reward. But what moves you most? Fear is an innate feeling. You don't create it, it surprises you. Most of us fear 'fear'? Why? Because most of us, including me, feel that we can't control it. It throws us into a place where emotion overcomes a person's ability to think. But does it motivate us? I believe it forces us to come into a resolution. It prompts you to think. Of how can you overcome fear in itself.

      Reward, on the other hand, is an ideal. A concept that we create to recompense our effort for moving forward. For taking action to overcome, say, fear.

      Reward, therefore, is a prize that we covet - an ideal. Fear, on the other hand, signals the beginning. We fear of being left behind. We, therefore, go to work everyday, do the things that we find not interesting enough. But we move so in the end, our superiors will get to notice our efforts. Creating the concept of a reward of being retained in the force (in spite of the massive retrenchment) or a promotion. I, therefore, see fear as the beginning and fear as the end.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kenster
    Neither...

    Passion is what motivates the best, not fear or reward

    thats why so many successfull entrepreneurs live simple lives, in my opinion
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    • Profile picture of the author Joshua Aikens
      I'll respond by telling you what works best with my children.

      Fear is the short term solution, do this or I'll...

      But reward works best over the long haul. Fear needs to be constantly reiterated whereas reward motivation can last longer and builds a better relationship between both parties.

      My two cents.
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    • Profile picture of the author TSc
      Originally Posted by Kenster View Post

      Passion is what motivates the best, not fear or reward
      OK, you bring it to the point.

      If the thing you do is nothing else then pleasure you dont need another motivation to do it.
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  • Profile picture of the author keerthana
    Yea,. I am 100% sure that fear is the path to success.

    Because we should fear when launching things,.. I am one of the succesful entrepreneur
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