In this video, David talks about Temporal Discounting – a cognitive bias that affects our motivation and decision-making.
Imagine this: I offer you £10 now, or £12 next week. What would you choose?
Most people take the £10 immediately, thinking, “Who knows what might happen next week?”
But if I offer you £10 in 52 weeks or £12 in 53 weeks, you’d likely wait an extra week for the higher reward.
This shift in decision-making highlights Temporal Discounting – the tendency to devalue future rewards in favour of immediate gratification.
Consider how this plays out in everyday life:
On Monday, you set ambitious weekend goals—house repairs, meal planning, and organising.
By Friday, you’re looking forward to a break.
On Saturday, relaxation wins because the temptation is immediate.
Future incentives (e.g., bonuses, promotions) may not be as motivating as smaller, more frequent rewards.
Long-term challenges (e.g., renewing contracts in a year) may feel less urgent, leading to procrastination.
✅ 1️⃣ Offer Immediate & Incremental Rewards
Small, frequent rewards boost motivation more effectively than large, delayed incentives.
✅ 2️⃣ Create a Sense of Urgency
Instead of viewing long-term goals as “far away,” break them into actionable steps today.
✅ 3️⃣ Reduce Immediate Temptations
If you want to stay productive, structure your environment to minimise distractions and maximise focus.
Understanding Temporal Discounting helps leaders design effective motivation strategies. By providing short-term incentives and addressing long-term planning challenges proactively, teams can stay focused and driven.
So, how will you adjust your approach to motivation?
You can watch more of our short videos here.
With best regards,
David Klaasen
Talent4Performance help business leaders clarify complexity. We inspire people and drive continuous performance improvement, so they can convert thinking into action and results.
©David Klaasen – 2025
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