Payoff: Summary Review
This is a summary review of Payoff containing key details about the book.
What is Payoff About?
"Payoff" is a book by Dan Ariely that explores the science of motivation and how to harness it to achieve our goals and improve our lives.
Payoff investigates the true nature of motivation, our partial blindness to the way it works, and how we can bridge this gap. With studies that range from Intel to a kindergarten classroom, Ariely digs deep to find the root of motivation—how it works and how we can use this knowledge to approach important choices in our own lives. Along the way, he explores intriguing questions such as: Can giving employees bonuses harm productivity? Why is trust so crucial for successful motivation? What are our misconceptions about how to value our work? How does your sense of your mortality impact your motivation?
Summary Points & Takeaways from Payoff
Some key summary points and takeaways from the book include:
* Understanding what motivates us: The book argues that traditional incentives like money and rewards may not be the best motivators for everyone. Understanding what drives us is crucial in finding what will motivate us to work towards our goals.
* The power of small wins: Ariely argues that small wins can have a significant impact on motivation, especially when combined with an increase in our sense of control and autonomy.
* The impact of identity on motivation: The author argues that our sense of self and identity can have a powerful impact on our motivation and that aligning our work with our values and beliefs can lead to higher motivation and job satisfaction.
* The role of emotions in motivation: The book argues that emotions play a significant role in our motivation and that feelings of frustration and anger can undermine motivation. On the other hand, feelings of excitement, joy, and pride can enhance motivation.
* The importance of motivation in creating habits: Ariely argues that motivation is crucial in establishing habits, and that when we're motivated to pursue our goals, it becomes easier to make positive changes in our lives.
Who is the author of Payoff?
Dan Ariely, James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University, is a founding member of the Center for Advanced Hindsight. He is the author of Payoff and the New York Times bestsellers Predictably Irrational, The Upside of Irrationality, and The Honest Truth About Dishonesty.
Book details
- Print length: 128 pages
- Genre: Psychology, Nonfiction, Business
What is a good quote from Payoff?
Top Quote: "When we are acknowledged for our work, we are willing to work harder for less pay, and when we are not acknowledged, we lose much of our motivation.” (Meaning) - Payoff Quotes, Dan Ariely
What do critics say?
Here's what one of the prominent reviewers had to say about the book: “Ariely writes in an approachable, chipper style, but some readers may find his ambiguous findings unsatisfying, as when he writes, it is impossible to come up with one simple set of motivational rules. A mostly provocative account of how inner turmoil drives us." — Kirkus Reviews
* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you want to enhance your personal growth, I recommend checking out my list of favorite personal growth books. These books have played a significant role in my life, and each one includes a summary and takeaways to help you apply the concepts.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
