We all know it’s hard to stay focused on working. The world is full of distractions and shiny social media updates. So, one of the best ways to boost productivity with your big to do list each and every day is to reward yourself along the way. This is something that has worked for me countless times and is a tool I often recommend to other freelancers who struggle with staying focused.
Here are some examples:
1. Food!
I typically eat a pretty healthy diet, but I have a weakness for sour candy. If I’m working on a large project, I will reward myself with food! I’ll tell myself that if I can finish a certain post or answer a certain amount of e-mails I get a piece of candy. I’ll even put it right by my computer keyboard to keep me motivated and tempt me to keep pushing forward.
I also have a friend who is an accomplished author. He does the opposite. He won’t allow himself to eat until he’s written 2,000 words for the day. This is not something that I recommend from a health perspective, but his hunger forces him to keep writing until he is done. Then he has a nice, big meal! Hey, whatever works right?
2. Free Time
Freelancers rarely take the time to enjoy a break. So, one way you can motivate yourself is to schedule in some free time. This could mean buying a movie ticket in advance, knowing that you can’t go to the movie unless you finish a certain project. It could also mean planning to out for drinks with friends or just take a stroll through the mall on a Sunday afternoon. Whatever it is that you enjoy doing, don’t let yourself do it until you’re finished your work. It helps if you plan something and have a set time for when you want to enjoy your free time. That way you have a self-imposed deadline for your work.
3. Pampering
Whether you’re male or female, everyone loves a little pampering every now and then. You can go get a massage or a manicure after you reached a specific goal. One way to do this is to purchase a massage or a salon treatment off of Groupon and put the printed out Groupon on your desk as motivation.
When you finish a big project, go ahead and schedule your massage!
The point is that it’s hard to stay motivated when you’re a freelancer because most freelancers work by themselves with no boss telling them what to do. So, be a great boss to yourself and offer yourself incentives for a job well done. This will not only make you a happier worker, but it’ll make you a more successful worker too.
What type of rewards or incentives would make you work harder?
Related Reading: Help your team work faster with these 151 keyboard shortcuts to save time.
How to Reward Yourself to Boost Productivity Without Derailing Your Goals
When you work for yourself, no manager hands out praise or bonuses, so you have to become your own boss and your own cheerleader. Learning to reward yourself to boost productivity taps into a simple behavioral loop: your brain repeats actions that are followed by something pleasant. Tie a small, genuine reward to finishing a task and the hard part of starting becomes much easier the next time. The trick is keeping the reward proportional and intentional rather than a constant stream of distractions.
Match the reward to the size of the task
Give yourself a tiny reward for a small win, such as a short walk or a favorite snack after clearing your inbox, and save a bigger reward, like a massage or a night out, for finishing a major project. Scaling the reward to the effort keeps the system honest and motivating. If you struggle to stay on task in the first place, these freelancer motivation tips and proven time management tips for freelancers pair well with a reward routine.
Schedule rewards in advance so they create deadlines
Booking a reward ahead of time turns it into a self-imposed deadline. Buying a movie ticket or planning drinks with friends gives your workday a finish line you actually want to reach. Regular, planned breaks also protect you from exhaustion; the Mayo Clinic notes that ignoring rest is a key driver of job burnout. For more ideas, see these places to get a motivation boost and quick ways to boost your freelance business.
Key Takeaways
- Rewarding yourself to boost productivity works because your brain repeats actions that are followed by something enjoyable.
- Scale the reward to the task: small wins earn small treats, big projects earn bigger ones.
- Schedule rewards in advance so they double as motivating deadlines.
- Build rest into the system to avoid burnout and protect long-term output.
Rewards work best on top of clear targets, so it helps to set long-term freelance goals first and then break them into milestones worth celebrating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does rewarding yourself actually improve productivity?
Rewards reinforce behavior. When finishing a task reliably leads to something you enjoy, your brain becomes more willing to start and complete similar tasks in the future. For self-employed people without external accountability, this self-directed reinforcement can replace the structure a traditional job provides.
What are good non-food rewards for finishing work?
Effective non-food rewards include a short walk outside, an episode of a favorite show, time on a hobby, a coffee from your favorite cafe, or a planned outing with friends. The best reward is something you genuinely look forward to but would not otherwise let yourself do until the work is done.
How often should I reward myself?
Reward small wins daily and save larger rewards for weekly or project-level milestones. Rewarding everything dilutes the effect, while rewarding nothing leads to burnout, so aim for a steady rhythm that keeps motivation high without becoming a distraction.
