Don't be swayed by the overjustification effect from "summary" of The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli
Beware of falling into the trap of the overjustification effect. This psychological phenomenon occurs when we are given extrinsic rewards for tasks that we originally enjoyed doing intrinsically. The danger lies in the fact that these external rewards can actually decrease our overall motivation and enjoyment for the activity. When we receive a reward for something we would have done anyway, our brain starts to associate the task with the incentive rather than the inherent pleasure of the activity itself. This can lead to a shift in our mindset, causing us to only focus on the external rewards rather than the intrinsic satisfaction we used to derive from the task.
Over time, this can erode our intrinsic motivation, making it harder for us to engage in the activity without the promise of a reward. The more we rely on external incentives, the less we rely on our own internal drive to pursue the task. This can ultimately diminish our overall satisfaction and fulfillment in the long run.
To avoid falling victim to the overjustification effect, it is important to be mindful of why we are engaging in certain activities. Instead of solely focusing on external rewards, we should try to reconnect with the intrinsic pleasure and satisfaction that originally drew us to the task. By reframing our mindset and focusing on the inherent enjoyment of the activity itself, we can maintain our motivation and continue to derive fulfillment from what we do.
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