I was recently in a group conversation where we were asked: “What fuels you, and what doesn’t?”
The question stuck with me, given my deep interest in motivation science.
I am fueled by helping people with so many economic barriers it is hard for them to get ahead and achieve their goals. That is why I founded PIPs Rewards.
A guiding approach I use is Self-Determination Theory, introduced by researchers Edward Deci and Richard Ryan in the 1970s. It points to three core needs that drive human motivation:
- Autonomy: Having a sense of control and the ability to take action
- Competence: Feeling capable and equipped to succeed
- Relatedness: Feeling connected and like you belong
I also value Angela Duckworth’s more recent research on the importance of grit, sustained effort toward something you care deeply about, even when progress is slow.
At PIPs Rewards, we apply this science to incentive programs that help people who have barriers to achieving their education and career goals.
I am curious what fuels you. Hit reply and let me know.
With Gratitude,
Carrie
A Preview of our Upcoming NYEC Presentation
I’ll be presenting at National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC) annual forum with our partner Sharlet Barnett, CEO of the Arizona Center for Youth Resources. We will be talking about incentives and what actually makes them work. Here is a preview of some of our content.
Incentives can strengthen intrinsic motivation.
Effective incentives help people feel:
- I have choice and ownership
- I am capable and making progress
- I have a near-term milestone I can reach
- I am connected and supported by others
Incentives backfire when they make people feel:
- I am being bribed or pressured
- Only results matter, not my effort
- My goal is too far off to matter
- I am on my own
We design incentive programs that grow motivation and reduce barriers.
Our partners support learners who have challenges in being able to engage and complete their programs. So at PIPs Rewards we design incentive programs that grow motivation and reduce barriers, through the actions that are encouraged and the rewards that learners earn. So for example, getting points for participation can increase learners’ connection. The option of redeeming points to pay for test vouchers makes taking the test possible.
We know that each learner is different, so choice in actions and rewards is central to our design. Supporting persistence is also key, so incentives are built to accelerate momentum and notifications recognize effort to keep learners moving forward, even when the path is hard.
We recently heard a learner describe her experience being on our app, “It was the first time someone noticed that I was really trying.”