Rewards For Quitting Smoking: A Double-Edged Sword

Smoking in the Logistics and Construction Sectors

When we consider the health and wellbeing of employees within the construction and logistics industries, the adverse impact of smoking is undeniable. As these sectors continue to grapple with safety and productivity challenges, the attention to the smoking problem becomes even more pressing. Let’s delve into this through the lens of one of my recent presentations, where I explore the dual-nature of rewards tied to quitting smoking, and the ultimate transition from being smokers to becoming non-smokers.

The Pitfalls and Pros of Rewards for Not Smoking

For many smokers, imagining the things they can buy or do once they stop smoking often acts as a powerful incentive. However, while this external motivation may seem appealing, it is far from the full picture.

Recognising smoking as a detrimental habit that negatively affects your health, social interactions, and relationships, is indeed a crucial step. But more is required. Smokers need to shift their motivation from extrinsic (external) to intrinsic (internal), as the former may not be sustainable in the long run.

Let's take an example. Suppose a parent rewards their teenage child with a monthly allowance to exercise. The question arises, how will the child continue to exercise when the monetary reward is no longer present? This underscores the potential issues with relying on external motivators.

For those seeking to quit smoking, the decision must come from a strong, internal resolve, with an understanding of the habit's total impact on your life and future potential consequences. Checkpoints like rewarding yourself with a family holiday a year or two down the line can certainly be part of the journey, but it should be the icing on the cake, not the main motivator.

The Crucial Role of Intrinsic Motivation

When you truly desire to become a non-smoker, it should be an inner desire that drives you. The process needs to become a part of your daily routine, much like brushing your teeth or getting up in the morning. It requires a certain level of inner motivation, not reliant on an external source.

The primary problem with smoking is fulfilling inner needs, like connection, dealing with anxiety or boredom, through external means. If you also set rewards externally, you are potentially compounding the problem. The process of quitting smoking is therefore an 'inner game'. It involves dealing with psychological triggers, stress, worries, and internal expectations. For this, a set of inner mental shifts are needed, which may require expert guidance.

Making Inner Shifts

Taking the initial step of deciding to stop smoking is one thing. But the following phase, making those inner shifts, is where expertise in working with the subconscious mind becomes invaluable. With such help, the journey to becoming a non-smoker, driven by intrinsic motivation, can be significantly shortened.

Once smokers find their strong inner reason to quit and shift their focus from the external to the internal, they can then use the external rewards as a bonus rather than a necessity. The goal is not to substitute one external habit with another, such as moving from cigarettes to vaping, but to cultivate inner, intrinsic motivation.

Beyond Behavioural Psychology

The idea of rewards finds its roots in the field of behavioural psychology. While this carrot-and-stick approach can have some merits, it oversimplifies human behaviour, reducing us to conditioned responses to environmental stimuli. However, as humans, we are far more nuanced.

To truly sustain motivation and make a lasting change, the triggers need to be internal. This internal shift helps smokers transition to becoming non-smokers.

Being a Non-Smoker as the Ultimate Reward

One effective way to approach this journey is to view becoming a non-smoker as the reward in itself. The relief and pride associated with making this decision and the freedom to breathe and accomplish something you previously thought was unachievable, serve as powerful intrinsic rewards. The strength and empowerment that comes from making this decision cannot be underestimated.

Indeed, being stuck in a state of indecision, wavering between wanting to quit smoking but feeling unable to do so, can be mentally and emotionally draining. The act of decisively becoming a non-smoker not only strengthens your will but also gives you a sense of freedom and self-achievement that no external reward can match.

The Role of Hedonic Adaptation

It's essential to remember that any external reward or payoff, based on hedonic adaptation, will dissipate after a few days. The dopamine rush that you might experience will eventually fade. What endures, however, is your internal motivation to quit smoking and become a non-smoker.

Therefore, finding your personal, deep-seated reason to quit smoking is critical. Connecting with that internal reason and aligning it with your values provides the intrinsic motivation you need to sustain the process.

Quitting Smoking with Expert Help

While it's ultimately up to the individual to make the change, seeking professional help from a stop-smoking expert can significantly aid the process. They can guide you through this journey, helping you find your motivation, connect with it, and enlist your subconscious to align with your values.

Remember, the reward is not an external perk, but rather the intrinsic satisfaction that comes from deciding for yourself that you're going to be free. You can feel a sense of pride in overcoming a hurdle that's difficult for many people, doing it for yourself, and making the conscious choice to become a non-smoker.

The Way Forward

For those in the construction and logistics industries, this message is particularly vital. These sectors, often characterised by stress and high-stake situations, can be prone to higher smoking rates. Ensuring the workforce understands the importance of intrinsic motivation in quitting smoking can make a real difference in the health and wellbeing of workers in these fields.

The journey from being a smoker to becoming a non-smoker is not merely about extrinsic rewards or an external, carrot-and-stick approach. It's about deeply-rooted, intrinsic motivation and making a personal, internal decision. It's about recognising the full picture of smoking's impact on your life and future and making a conscious choice to be free. And when this happens, when you are finally a non-smoker, that in itself is the most gratifying reward.

Implications for the Construction and Logistics Industries

In construction and logistics industries, the health and wellbeing of workers are paramount for both safety and efficiency. The high-stress nature of these jobs often leads to a higher prevalence of smokers, seeking relief in the form of a cigarette. However, smoking harms their health, reduces their productivity, and might even impact their decision-making abilities, leading to potential safety issues on site. Understanding the intrinsic motivation to quit smoking, as explored in this article, provides a pathway to healthier, happier, and more productive employees. By shifting the focus from extrinsic rewards to intrinsic motivation, workers in these industries can break the cycle of addiction. The reward of becoming a non-smoker isn't merely about the physical benefits or cost savings, it's about the freedom, self-empowerment, and overall improved quality of life. Recognising this could be a game-changer for the construction and logistics industries, leading to a healthier, more focused workforce, improved safety standards, and increased productivity.