We all have dreams and goals that we strive for, but how do we actually achieve them? We could use rewards to motivate us and shape our behavior into something more desirable. It is the power of positive associations that can lead to lasting positive changes. With the right evaluation of our strengths and weaknesses, we can use rewards to our advantage, to enrich our lives and reach our objectives.
1. Turning Possibilities into Realities: Harnessing the Power of Positive Associations
We all have dreams of achieving success in our lives, whether it be in our personal or professional lives. But along the way, so many of us feel stuck or simply unable to move forward. How can we breakthrough to reach our goals? One answer could be to tap into the power of positive associations.
We can use positive associations to give ourselves the drive and energy to take action. By associating our desired goals with a positive feeling, such as joy or excitement, we can create a stimulus powerful enough to unlock our potential. Associations are like little motivators that can help us to stay on track and achieve our goals.
- Start by visualizing your desired outcome: Take a few moments to think about what achieving success looks like to you. What does it feel like to have reached your goal? Visualize it in as much detail as you can.
- Connect it with a strong emotion: Once you have this image in your head, connect it to an emotion or feeling. Let it be something powerful, such as motivation or enthusiasm.
- Link this emotion to an action: Whenever you feel yourself lagging, call to mind this feeling you’ve created and link it to an action that you need to take.
By connecting our goals to a positive feeling, we can more easily unlock our inner potential. In doing so, we can turn possibilities into realities.
2. Rewarding Behavior to Create Lasting Change
Smile and you’re halfway there! Positive reinforcement, or rewarding desirable behavior, is one of the most effective ways to create lasting change. It’s a basic technique of operant conditioning that shapes your own behavior and inspires others around you.
Start by setting a concrete goal that you or your team can see. Then, decide on a reward to reinforce the desired behavior when the goal is achieved. This reward must not only be meaningful, but also achievable.
- Create multiple rewards – give yourself and/or team multiple options and levels of rewards
- Break down the goal – break down the goal into smaller, achievable bits and reward accordingly
- Be consistent – don’t change the reward structure too much, otherwise it won’t reinforce the desired behavior
By following these steps, you and/or your team can create lasting change based on positive reinforcement. Instead of punishment or fear, reward positive behavior and watch as it emboldens and transforms your team.
3. The Benefits of Positively Associating Good Behavior
Rewarding positive behavior is more than just a tried and true principal for children, it’s good practice even into adulthood. Harnessing positive reinforcement allows us to lead more productive and rewarding lives and prioritize our own wellbeing, as well as the wellbeing of those around us. All in all, making it a habit to celebrate and encourage good behavior is a surefire way to enhance our emotional and physical health.
Here are some of the greatest benefits to associating good behavior with positive reinforcement:
- Improves Self Esteem: Each time you recognize and appreciate another’s behavior, it reinforces their sense of self-worth and self-efficacy. A healthy dose of self-esteem is important for our physical and emotional wellbeing.
- Model Good Behavior: By rewarding your own positive development, you’re modeling the desired behavior for others to emulate. You become a leader in your own right, setting the example for a better tomorrow.
- Reduce Stress and Anxiety: Positive thinking and positive behavior can help us feel more relaxed and improve our overall mental and physical health. When we celebrate and reward our good choices, our overall outlook is transformed to one that is more confident and productive.
Overall, associating good behavior with positive reinforcement is an important tool when striving to improve our lives, and to encourage the same growth in others. It’s through rewarding great behavior that we can become better versions of ourselves and those around us.
4. Taking the Next Step: Incorporating Positive Association into Everyday Life
Making Positive Associations Contagious
One of the best ways to incorporate positive associations into everyday life is to make them contagious. Being around people who use only positive words and gestures can become infectious. It can spread to everyone who interacts with them, which will ultimately create a ripple effect of positivity. Make sure to surround yourself with people who radiate sunshine and can lift you up when you’re feeling down.
Another great way to make positive associations contagious is to start a positivity challenge. Gather a few friends and get ready to transform your mindset into one of optimism. Start off with a simple challenge like creating a list of at least 10 things you’re grateful for, or try sharing a positive story with your friends if you need a quick boost of motivation. Doing these activities each and every day will create a domino effect of positivity that cannot be put out.
Associations are powerful and rooted in our subconscious; if used properly, you can use positive associations to develop beneficial behaviors quickly and effectively, leading to a happier, more successful life. Chasing your dreams has no limits when you use the power of positive associations and rewards to shape desired behavior.