Sometimes, even the most motivated home – based professional will find herself lacking in energy, inspiration, and the drive to accomplish, well, much of anything. What can a person do when they find themselves in such an unenviable position, with much to do and little motivation to do it? As silly as it sounds, for the past two nights, bribery has been working pretty well.
Yes, I am shamelessly admitting to bribing myself to get my work and household chores done. I am sure that this is not a novel idea, as I know that I am not the first or only home – based professional to suffer from the occasional lack of motivation. It works, too. At least it did last night. I just made tonight’s to do list, and it looks promising.
What exactly am I bribing myself with in order to get myself to do my work and my chores? Ice cream, for one thing. When I get my first piece of work and my first household chore done, I get to enjoy a bowl of peanut butter cup ice cream with home made hot fudge sauce. Sounds good, right? After the next piece of work and the second household chore are complete, I get to read for fifteen minutes. That may not seem like a huge reward to some people, but considering as I have zero time to myself when the kids are awake and I love reading, it is an enticing little prize. What’s more, I get fifteen minutes more of reading time after my third piece of work and my third chore. Since I have four items on my work to – do list, and four household things to tackle this evening, that means one more reward after doing my fourth set of work and chores. I’ve saved the best for last on this one. My reward at that point in time is to go to bed.
Have you ever bribed yourself to get work or chores done? How has it worked out for you?
Photo by maxstraten on morguefile.com.