--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Rewards can deliver a short-term…" description: "\"Rewards can deliver a short-term boost—just as a jolt of caffeine can keep you cranking for a few more hours. But the effect wears off—and, worse, can ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/daniel-h-pink-1532_boost_rewards-can-deliver-a-short-term-boost-j_2486330.png" --- # Rewards can deliver a short-term boost—just as a jolt of… ![“Rewards can deliver a short-term boost—just as a jolt of caffeine can keep you cranking for a few more hours. But the effect wears off—and, worse, can reduce a person’s longer-term motivation to continue the project.” quote by Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/daniel-h-pink-1532_boost_rewards-can-deliver-a-short-term-boost-j_2486330.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/daniel-h-pink-1532_boost_rewards-can-deliver-a-short-term-boost-j_2486330.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36a/daniel-h-pink-1532_boost_rewards-can-deliver-a-short-term-boost-j_2486330.png) > “Rewards can deliver a short-term boost—just as a jolt of caffeine can keep you cranking for a few more hours. But the effect wears off—and, worse, can reduce a person’s longer-term motivation to continue the project.” [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Short-term incentives boost immediate effort but can undermine long-term drive and intrinsic motivation. **In simple terms:** Quick rewards help now but hurt future motivation. Key Takeaway Use intrinsic goals for lasting motivation. Themes motivation incentives productivity Mood reflective cautious Type analytical advisory When to use this quote - project deadlines - habit formation - team management Key Concepts self-determination behavioral economics Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance short and long-term motivation? - What intrinsic goals can replace external rewards? A Different Perspective Overreliance on rewards can lead to burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Caffeine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caffeine/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewards/) [Short term](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-term/) ## Related quotes > [Those who judge me don't irritate or annoy me at all, in fact they give me a boost in motivation to continue burning them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kos/those-who-judge-me-don-t-irritate-or-annoy-me-at-all-in-fact-they/) [Kos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kos/) > [“It's not enough to say you want to lose fifty, seventy, or a hundred and twenty pounds. 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Give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-mae-buban/its-so-easy-for-them-to-judge-when-they-are-already-succesful-but/) Heather mae buban > [In adversity, you have to find motivation to continue and do well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvaro-morata/in-adversity-you-have-to-find-motivation-to-continue-and-do-well/) [Alvaro Morata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvaro-morata/) > [“When he turned round with the cup to his mouth, nostrils titillated by the aroma of a sun that had once shone on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jussi-adler-olsen/when-he-turned-round-with-the-cup-to-his-mouth-nostrils-titillated-by/) [Jussi Adler-Olsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jussi-adler-olsen/) > [Sleep is just a symptom of caffeine lack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-friele/sleep-is-just-a-symptom-of-caffeine-lack/) Herman Friele > [Caffeine restricts blood flow to the brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/caffeine-restricts-blood-flow-to-the-brain/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Usually she ordered a cup of coffee and a cup of tea, as well as a brownie, propping up her sadness with chocolate and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorrie-moore/usually-she-ordered-a-cup-of-coffee-and-a-cup-of-tea-as-well-as-a/) [Lorrie Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorrie-moore/) > [I drink mate every day during training camp, and just in general. 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It's pretty much one hundred percent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caprice-crane/people-often-say-that-writing-is-ten-percent-inspiration-and-ninety/) [Caprice Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caprice-crane/) > [American coffee can be a pale solution served at a temperature of 100 degrees centigrade in plastic thermos cups, usually obligatory in railroad stations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/american-coffee-can-be-a-pale-solution-served-at-a-temperature-of-100/) [Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/) > [I would drink gallons of coffee a day. Even now, off caffeine, I talk faster than anyone you've ever met. I finally recognized that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-englander/i-would-drink-gallons-of-coffee-a-day-even-now-off-caffeine-i-talk/) [Nathan Englander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-englander/) ## More by Daniel H. Pink > [Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/human-beings-have-an-innate-inner-drive-to-be-autonomous-self/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“morning people to be pleasant, productive folks—“introverted,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/morning-people-to-be-pleasant-productive-folks-introverted/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“tweeters felt active, engaged, and hopeful—generally rose in the morning, plummeted in the afternoon”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/tweeters-felt-active-engaged-and-hopeful-generally-rose-in-the/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“The longer it takes for a boss to respond to their e-mails, the less satisfied people are with their leader.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-longer-it-takes-for-a-boss-to-respond-to-their-e-mails-the-less/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [For creative tasks, the best approach is often just to hire great people and get out of their way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/for-creative-tasks-the-best-approach-is-often-just-to-hire-great/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“The less evidence of extrinsic motivation during art school, the more success in professional art both several years after graduation and nearly twenty years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-less-evidence-of-extrinsic-motivation-during-art-school-the-more/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [If you look at the very best presidents, the most effective presidents, they were always decent salespeople. Ronald Reagan was an extremely effective salesman,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/if-you-look-at-the-very-best-presidents-the-most-effective-presidents/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“the more they chat and gossip—the more they get done”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-more-they-chat-and-gossip-the-more-they-get-done/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“continuing to think about job demands during breaks may result in strain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/continuing-to-think-about-job-demands-during-breaks-may-result-in/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“The quality of the problem that is found is a forerunner of the quality of the solution that is attained . . .” Getzels concluded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-quality-of-the-problem-that-is-found-is-a-forerunner-of-the/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [When we make progress and get better at something, it is inherently motivating. In order for people to make progress, they have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/when-we-make-progress-and-get-better-at-something-it-is-inherently/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“innovation and creativity are greatest when we are not at our best”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/innovation-and-creativity-are-greatest-when-we-are-not-at-our-best/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“Temporal landmarks slow our thinking, allowing us to deliberate at a higher level and make better decisions”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/temporal-landmarks-slow-our-thinking-allowing-us-to-deliberate-at-a/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“Jobs that offer autonomy but little challenge bore us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/jobs-that-offer-autonomy-but-little-challenge-bore-us/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“richest experiences in our lives aren’t when we’re clamoring for validation from others, but when we’re listening to our own voice—doing something that matters,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/richest-experiences-in-our-lives-aren-t-when-we-re-clamoring-for/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) [Explore all 230 Daniel H. Pink quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) ## More Boost quotes > [Optimism boosts your energy and focuses your sights on reaching your goals, rather than wallowing in your setbacks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/optimism-boosts-your-energy-and-focuses-your-sights-on-reaching-your/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Maca boosts sex drive like crazy. And if there's any side effect, some people just have to stop taking it because they get so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kilham/maca-boosts-sex-drive-like-crazy-and-if-there-s-any-side-effect-some/) [Chris Kilham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kilham/) > [On the news that the Tsar had sent the troops icons to boost their morals, General Dragomirov quipped: 'The Japanese are beating us with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orlando-figes/on-the-news-that-the-tsar-had-sent-the-troops-icons-to-boost-their/) [Orlando Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orlando-figes/) > [By reducing our dependence of foreign oil and increasing alternative energy sources such as ethanol, we can begin to bring down prices at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ryun/by-reducing-our-dependence-of-foreign-oil-and-increasing-alternative/) [Jim Ryun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ryun/) > [The success of the Inklings also helps us to see criticism in a positive light. There are, unfortunately, people who boost their own sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alister-e-mcgrath/the-success-of-the-inklings-also-helps-us-to-see-criticism-in-a/) [Alister E. McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alister-e-mcgrath/) > [Every knock is a boost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/every-knock-is-a-boost/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [When working out, play your favorite music loudly for an extra boost of energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cheeke/when-working-out-play-your-favorite-music-loudly-for-an-extra-boost/) [Robert Cheeke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cheeke/) > [The live setting is always better for me. I usually thrive at live. I feel like having a band behind me and being able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naima-adedapo/the-live-setting-is-always-better-for-me-i-usually-thrive-at-live-i/) [Naima Adedapo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naima-adedapo/) > [The crowd gives us so much energy and we are able to really feed off of it. Hitting those shots and having the crowd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/the-crowd-gives-us-so-much-energy-and-we-are-able-to-really-feed-off/) [Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/) > [Sometimes in tournaments I'll see Argentinians with Boca shirts and flags and that gives me a boost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/sometimes-in-tournaments-i-ll-see-argentinians-with-boca-shirts-and/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) > [News media stimulate bubbles, since stories about them boost their audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-shiller/news-media-stimulate-bubbles-since-stories-about-them-boost-their/) [Robert J. Shiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-shiller/) > [Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-curie/life-is-not-easy-for-any-of-us-but-what-of-that-we-must-have/) [Marie Curie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-curie/) > [If we want to boost border security, we have to help law enforcement agencies beef up their resources to meet this demand. We cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cuellar/if-we-want-to-boost-border-security-we-have-to-help-law-enforcement/) [Henry Cuellar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cuellar/) > [I'm taking memory power boost tablets to help me every day and doing the puzzles to help me stay focused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-bradshaw/i-m-taking-memory-power-boost-tablets-to-help-me-every-day-and-doing/) [Terry Bradshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-bradshaw/) > [I set my phone with motivational quotes to go off on random days and times. Like, 'You're stronger than you think you are.' I'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-johnson/i-set-my-phone-with-motivational-quotes-to-go-off-on-random-days-and/) [Shawn Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-johnson/) Browse all 252 Boost quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Rewards can deliver a short-term boost—just as a jolt of caffeine can keep you cranking for a few more hours. But the effect wears off—and, worse, can reduce a person’s longer-term motivation to continue the project.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Daniel H. 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