The Regret of a Lifetime: Why Extrinsic Rewards Sabotage Passion

Join us for an extensive discussion on the importance of aligning one's life with individual values and passions as a foundation for personal fulfillment and life vision. It highlights the potential for regret when people live according to the expectations of others, citing the work of nurse Bronnie Ware, and emphasizes that true happiness stems from making decisions consistent with personal and professional values. The text contrasts intrinsic motivation, driven by personal beliefs and interests, with extrinsic motivation, which relies on external rewards and punishments, such as the "carrot and stick" model. Crucially, the source argues that while extrinsic factors can initiate behavior, only self-motivation and alignment with core values can sustain long-term commitment and persistence in achieving goals, reinforcing the need for self-reflection and self-regulation.