To motivate your brain nibble on chocolate covered carrots

What motivates you more – the threat of a penalty (aka. a stick) or the promise of a reward (aka. a carrot) ?

Wait, this whole analogy needs a rework. Personally I don’t know too many people who view a carrot as much of a reward, let’s lose the carrot and replace it with something that can raise a hefty dose of dopamine and create a real physiological reward – chocolate.

So the question again…… what motivates you ? The chocolate or the stick ?

The chocolate of course…..

Stick thinking is old fashioned

For years stick thinking has dominated the management of people ….

• In school, in by gone days at least, they literally hit you with a stick
• Fines are designed to stick your wallet
• And many bosses/teachers/mothers, demand compliance through yelling, so loud, you want to stick your fingers in your ears

But research from a bunch of accounting profs from Michigan State University, has demonstrated sticks are not all that motivating.

Although all out terror can definitely be described as highly motivating, under the right circumstances.

Chocolate covered carrots are preferred

The research team followed the money, I did point out they were bean counters conducting the research, in a simulation game.

The game was set up, so that participants either got to be the boss or the one being bossed.

In the game, the boss could be use a carrot chocolate or a stick approach. Both the stick and the “carrot” were financial. Performance on the task was monitored.

Bonus paid off

The workers who were rewarded with a bonus, actually put in more effort.

Workers who had their pay docked for poor performance, did not raise their game, due to the punishment, but instead did less.

Moulding chocolate covered carrots

Working with chocolate can be a little messy and is potentially a little fattening, but if you want to get things done, moulding chocolate covered carrots, is the way to go.

The brain REALLY LIKES rewards.

Of course, it can be quite a challenge locating seeds that grow into chocolate covered carrots, especially on a tight budget.

And for most of us, carrots grow too slow – we need instant grMatification.

But if you use your imagination, you can find a few “legal”, non-fattening ways to get a quick dopamine lift…..

• An exercise session
• A good laugh – courtesy of a joke, a u-tube video or a movie
• Listening to a symphony, possibly while taking a bubble bath ,
• Hugs and kisses or a rub down by a masseuse
• Actively “killing” the bad guys in a computer game or passively doing it in front of the television etc.
• A cup of coffee and a novel or if you want to avoid the caffeine rush, a spot of tea with or without a weed or two

Chocolate covered carrots in the fridge

So this week’s Neurotechnology Tip encourages you to keep a stash of chocolate covered carrots in the fridge.

Nibbling on carrots, is a proven way to keep your brain motivated and a great way to beat procrastination.

To wire up your brain a little each week ………………..

Subscribe to Neurotechnology Tips

Give us a like on facebook

Know someone who will find this post useful ? Share it on facebook, linkedin, twitter

Further reading

Why you should keep a spoonful of sugar in your brief case	Your brain needs periodic surprises to keep focused	The fountain of youth pumps out tomato puree and carrot soup

The 7 Big Spoons™…. are master switches that turn health on.

Balance Eicosanoids	Rein in insulin	Dial down stress	Sleep !	Increase Vit D	Culivate microflora	Think champion

Hire Dr Sandy from a Spoonful of Science to be the keynote speaker at your next event.

Did you learn something new or do you have a different perspective ? I’d love to hear from you so post me a comment below