Incentives Drive Behavior

For good or bad we are (for the most part) human.

Thankfully humans are “lovable” because nothing we do makes sense.

In fact, part of our likability is that we are consistently “inconsistent”.

For example:

We are creatures of habit, yet we constantly seek change.

We fight for victory, yet we cheer for the underdog, and praise the loser for their efforts.

We are loyal to our cause, yet we are quick to change allegiance.

We love one another; yet have no problem moving forward when losses are dealt.

In the midst of our jungle, we are all the consistent in our inconsistencies.

We are human, and we know it.

As humans, we fuel our need for change by challenging ourselves with a reflective question.

So, ask yourself.

If humans live in a state of self-awareness, unlike any known creature on earth, would it be possible to discover the one motivation that removes the inconsistency, and makes all of us the same?

If we could discover this “link”, we could ask another question:

What makes us so “human”?

The good news is you don’t have to look far to find the obvious.

It is simple.

The answer is “incentives”.

The way we consistently accept “Incentives” is what makes us human, and these “incentives” drive our behavior.

For century’s scientist (as well as politicians and women) have known that humans can be controlled by their unquenchable desire for reward.

It can be large or small, necessary or unnecessary, however you describe it we all seek it. Our constant drive for rewards makes us who we are, and the only thing that truly separates us is our compass; the moral one that is.

When we study our actions and reflect on history, “time” can play tricks on our point of view.

Anyone brave enough to peek inside the human mind knows that we tend to be “situational” with our concept of time and space. We limit our conscience to the immediate need and judge our actions based on the current standards of society. Therefore, history becomes difficult to judge once you realize that “perspectives” do change, and the desires of our conscience tend to adjust to its own convenience.

So do the incentives.

For the “love of the game”, “long live the Queen”, “Justice for all!” – each seems well in their own time and space, but as we look back, what do we see?

History is open for debate, but most conversations fall short because we really don’t know the original perspective. We can’t possibly understand the incentives of the time, their impact or where their compass was pointed.

When all is said and done, all we have is our current perspective to lean upon. It is a perspective that only exists in our current time.

It exists today.

Will the future be different?

Yes. I promise. (well maybe)

As we look back a hundred years from now, today’s perspective of time and space will seem altered. It will all seem embarrassingly silly. Things that mean something to us today will seem silly for our future selves.

Think about it this way.

Do we really care that someone was paid for endorsing a product?

No.

Do we really care that a 22-year-old Instagram model or entertainer made a stupid decision and let everyone around them down?

No.

Do we care those certain members of society feel their opinion is more important than ours?

No.

Do we really care about anything at all?

Of course we do.

We care about incentives. We care about today’s reality and what drives us as individuals, to a better tomorrow.

Incentives are our lifeblood and open our minds to change. Those who understand this are ahead in the game of life.

It is the realm of incentives where humans are the most consistent.

You will always be able to count on humans to respond to rewards.

You can always count on someone to break the rules and reveal their true self.

One day, we will look back with a smile and wonder “why did they care so much about something so meaningless?”

When we do look back, we will realize our perspective has altered, but the compass never changed.

Judgment is consistent and timeless as well, especially when it recognizes the rules of the time.

In any reality, the rules are the rules if you choose to play the game.

It is up to you to decide which incentive to choose. I just hope you decide what’s best for you and your family.

In the end, that’s all that really matters.

#perfectplan. #donbarden. #incentives. #humns. #servatleaders