Friday, March 2, 2012

The Most Interesting Thing: The Importance of Rewarding Yourself

"The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it."
--Ralph Waldo Emerson


Okay, sure, I agree with Mr. Emerson on a certain level, but I'm a firm believer in external rewards.

My reward for a good day of writing? Reading

Finishing a draft? A full day of binge reading

Completing a revision? Reading a book I've been dying to read and saving for this particular moment.

I think I may be seeing a pattern here.

Speaking of goals and rewards, if you haven't signed up for March Madness, it isn't too late! Hop on over to Denise Jaden's Blog and at the end of the month, you may find yourself rewarded with any one of a number of fabulous prizes. If you've already signed up, don't forget to update us on your progress. Today's check-in is over at Deb Marshall's.

What about you? Do you reward yourself for meeting your writing goals? How?

15 comments:

  1. I usually reward myself with sleep lol!

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  2. I am rewarding myself with beta reading. ;)

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  3. I'm a firm believer in rewards whenever you feel like you need it. I may be a little self-indulgent come to think of it. But at the risk of sounding holier-than-thou, writing really is its own reward for me. So much of my day is spent doing OTHER STUFF that it is my prize.

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  4. My favorite reward is taking a break from the writing desk--hiking, seeing a movie, spending more time with my husband, reading, etc.

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    1. Those sound like refreshing breaks. I miss my early Monday morning hikes with my husband.

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  5. YES! I reward myself with reading too! I can't think of a better prize:)

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    1. Reading is the best reward for me as well. :)

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    2. I'm not the only one! Nothing better than a book (except maybe a bath with a book!)

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  6. What an interesting idea! I don't actually reward myself for writing, but why shouldn't I? I've heard on NPR recently that one important way to make something a 'habit' is to create a cycle of trigger - action - reward. But until I read your post, it never occurred to me that I could - that I should - make writing a rewardable habit, like I do exercising. Got to think of a good reward. I'm excited. Thanks!

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  7. I don't have a reward system set up... perhaps that's why I have yet to finish anything :) *contemplates rewards* Lovely post!

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