What advantages do we get from putting efforts over the rewards?

Question

Could someone kindly elaborate on the advantages of focusing on the effort behind a task instead of the reward?

Answer 1

I see a connection with what he’s saying here, and principles of mindset in childbirth I learned from Ina May Gaskin’s books. I have given birth seven times, four in hospital environments, fighting the pain, and three at home, leaning into it. It really is absolutely mind blowing how powerful the difference is.

Comments

I thought of birth too! One at the hospital that was super painful. 3 at home, of which the two last ones were pain free! Intense but no pain. Magical

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I had both mine in the hospital but I embraced the pain anyway. Not only was it amazing but I can feel proud of the for the rest of my life! And great job to you, too :)

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Yes! Embracing and owning the POWER in the pain verses trying to escape it, is the way.  I personally had such terrible trust issues with the hospital setting after the first four, I didn’t trust myself to be able to stay strong in there. But I’ve met many amazing mothers who absolutely OWNED their hospital births! Praise the LORD! Good for you mama!

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Beautiful perspective.

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There is nothing fun or amazing about childbirth. That’s like saying hey, I leaned into cutting my leg off! It was great! Oh please. Can’t fool me

Answer 2

I gotta tell you, you have changed my thought process with this one! There is so much wisdom here!  Thank you for what you do!  You have a kind and generous spirit!

Answer 3

In German we say: the way is the goal. So he  literally says you should focus and tell/ convince yourself to enjoy every step of the way (positive self conditioning)

Answer 4

Buddha said around 2.500 years ago: Happiness is in the journey, not the destination.

Answer 5

Helping others any way you can is extremely rewarding!

Comments

Strongly agree ❤

Answer 6

The journey toward success often tests you, but it’s how you grow through the challenges that leads to fulfillment ❤

Answer 7

It absolutely takes a conscious effort to "live in the moment" and take reward while that effort ensues. Good vid, opened my eyes.

Answer 8

I feel like recently I've been doing this subconsciously and have made more gains compared to in the past. Since covid i quit the gym and started working out at outdoor gyms and at home. My wife thinks its weird but i actually enjoy training now! I've been also training for calisthenics skills where initially the goal was to complete certain skills. In actual fact I'm now more focused on the journey rather than the destination, and i think this is key!

Comments

https://youtube.com/shorts/lOqJU9QkjDs

Answer 9

This reminds me of "intrinsic motivation," and "self-actualization;" concepts from the 1950s. Glad to see they have stood the test of time.

Comments

https://youtube.com/shorts/lOqJU9QkjDs

Answer 10

Something that works for me, is saying to myself on hard workouts or whatever. Is that the when it get's hard that is why I'm training. That's exactly what I came for. And more often than not saying that in my head or out loud makes me smile.

Answer 11

This is something I’ve learned through experience.  Basically getting older and finding what works

Answer 12

My mind just exploded..wow, so simple...and complex at the same time. Thank you

Answer 13

superb distinctions being made here, i could literally feel my dopamine levels increase as i anchored the reward to effort. pumped now. thank you.

Answer 14

"Learn to spike your dopamine from effort itself"
So well said 6:56

Answer 15

I wise man once told me that we can convince ourselves of anything so convince yourself that the best things for you are enjoyable. The longer you do it, the more you’ll believe it.

Answer 16

I’ve had a semi awareness of this for a long while and I appreciate a credentialed educator explaining this succinctly so I can get my point across to others.

Answer 17

I’ve run a couple marathons quite a few years ago and can say I enjoyed the training even more than the completion. We’re conditioned because we always see people celebrating after any victory.

Comments

Same, but at the end of the training schedule I got tired of it, so that's why the marathon itself gave me a feeling of goal completed, I could start with the next goal now. Goals are also a part of progression.

Answer 18

This really helps me to understand my self-sabotage throughout the years!

Comments

daylon what caused your self sabotage over the years? was it your focus on the end result instead of deriving pleasure from the process including when it was hard and getting feelings of accomplishment off of pushing yourself, do you think focusing on the result leads to frustration which then somehow conditions itself to the task.

Answer 19

Focusing on the process rather than the result is age-old wisdom. It allows you to enjoy life more because you are being present in every moment rather than looking towards the future.

Comments

https://youtube.com/shorts/lOqJU9QkjDs

Answer 20

As an executive and career coach I have often advised my clients to get off outcome. This video explains biochemical reasons why this shift is such a game changer. Thanks Andrew!

Comments

joe where does visualization fit into it, you said you advised clients to get off outcomes, so where does visualization of the outcome aka law of assumption come into play, how do we harmonize these two understandings, that of getting off the outcome, and that of visualizing the outcome.

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 -  Right, I don't dump outcome in terms of the long term planning and visioning processes.  Long range vision and planning is very important! I think it's more a matter what's best and most helpful on a daily or moment by moment basis.  We have become so hyper sensitive to getting short term results and dopamine hits that if we don't see an immediate benefit or tie to our long range goal or desired outcome it's easy to get disheartened and give up.   Many of my clients find themselves in this state.

The law of assumption, I think, helps us to move toward our intention.  So I didn't meant to imply that either this concept or using visualization aren't valuable but rather a matter of emphasis on a daily / short term basis.

Another related thought that I find very helpful is the shift James Clear recommends in Atomic Habits to focus on the identity of who he wants to be or become . This then informs the behaviors or habits THAT person would hold.   It's a great way of anchoring your vision to your daily walk in life.  Just by asking a question ... is this thing I am doing or considering doing something  that the person I want to be , would do?

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you for your insights on how to harmonize the understanding expressed in the video, which I feel is super valuable, and the law of assumption. Also, thank you for the additional tip of focusing on the identity of the individual I want to become. Asking the question, 'Is this thing I am doing or considering doing something the person I want to be would do?' I think it will be empowering to get all this down on paper, making it clear to myself what this individual that I want to become would and wouldn't do day to day. Making it clear to myself and reviewing that daily. I have never read 'Atomic Habits.' Thanks for this tip; it's much appreciated!

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https://youtube.com/shorts/lOqJU9QkjDs

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https://youtube.com/shorts/lOqJU9QkjDs@@Samanthax1221