Self-Reward: The Power of Brief Utterances

"When we briefly reward ourselves for completing tasks, reaching goals, or making progress, we make it easier to sustain beneficial habits and overcome challenges. For example, I used to say to myself when I finished a post, "Thank God that's over with," and immediately start another task. Once I started saying at the end of the post, "Great!" or "Way to go!" before starting another task, my productivity soared."

"I make a point of sharing the power of self-reward with my clients. Those who practice it daily report greater self-efficacy (the ability to set goals and meet them) and increased self-value. Internal validation is especially important in environments where praise is rare or success goes unnoticed. By learning to value our own work, we become less dependent on the approval of others and more connected to our own values. This promotes autonomy and strengthens identity, reducing the emotional toll of setbacks or criticism."

Self-reward recognizes efforts and accomplishments of any size and relies on self-awareness and self-compassion rather than external approval. Brief, timely self-rewards after tasks or progress make it easier to sustain beneficial habits, boost productivity, and overcome challenges. Regular practice of self-reward increases self-efficacy, self-value, and psychological resilience. Internal validation is crucial when external praise is rare, because valuing one’s own work reduces dependence on others, strengthens identity, and promotes autonomy. Effective self-reward aligns with personal values and serves as reinforcement for goal-directed behavior rather than an avoidance strategy.

Read at Psychology Today