Better Quote by Peter Singer
“For example, one way of giving yourself a strong incentive to reach your goal is to commit to pay money to someone if you fail. Better yet, you can specify that you will have to pay a certain sum to a cause that you detest.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Life You Can Save, Peter Singer, 2009
Offering a financial penalty to a disliked cause creates a strong deterrent, increasing motivation to achieve a goal.
In simple terms: Paying a cause you dislike makes you work harder to avoid it.
Key Takeaway
Use a penalty to boost commitment.
Themes
motivation
commitment
incentives
Mood
determined
strategic
Type
advice
motivational
When to use this quote
- goal setting
- personal finance
- charitable giving
- habit formation
Key Concepts
behavioral economics
self control
Questions to Reflect On
- What cause would motivate you most?
- How can you ensure the penalty is meaningful?
A Different Perspective
If the penalty is too small, it may not be effective.
![“Nineteen thousand children [are] dying every day. Does it really matter that we're not walking past them in the street? Does it really matter that they're far away? I don't think it does make a morally relevant difference.” quote by Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cc1/peter-singer-1001_children_nineteen-thousand-children-are-dying-eve_33961.jpg)
