“People love meaningless rewards.”
That surprisingly deep comment came from a friend the other day after she showed me the Halloween-themed donut she’d just bought from Dunkin’. More importantly, she’d also earned a limited-edition Itsy Bitsy Baddie badge in her Dunkin’ app.
When I tell you she was more excited about the badge than the donut, I’m not exaggerating.
Not long after, I realized I’d fallen for the same trick. Airbnb recently started giving users digital passport-style stamps for each place they stay. When I saw my profile page filled with stamps from past trips, I actually caught myself wondering if we should scrap our upcoming hotel plans—just to earn another one.
Both of these examples show how companies are using meaningless rewards—digital tokens with no real-world value—to drive real engagement. They’re different from traditional loyalty programs that offer free products or discounts. These badges and icons cost almost nothing to create, yet they tap into something powerful: our love of visible progress and recognition.
And that’s exactly why rewards can be such a powerful tool in your own productivity toolbox.
Rethinking Rewards
When people think of rewards, they often imagine buying something—a new gadget, a dinner out, or a fancy coffee. But everyday rewards can be much simpler and still just as effective.
Rewards don’t have to be big. They just have to motivate you.
Maybe it’s allowing yourself a guilt-free moment to do nothing. Maybe it’s savoring your favorite tea that you only drink on special occasions. Or taking a short walk outside to refresh your body and your brain after completing a tough task.
These simple, sensory breaks aren’t just indulgences—they reinforce the habit of finishing what you start. They teach your brain to associate progress with satisfaction instead of exhaustion.
Make It Visual
If you’ve ever felt a rush from closing your Apple Watch rings or crossing an item off your to-do list, you already know that visual progress matters.
One of my favorite ways to track rewards is through what I call a reward grid. Each time you hit a milestone—finish a project, stick to your morning routine, or complete a focus block—check off a box. When the grid is full, celebrate with something meaningful: a morning off, time spent on a hobby, or a small personal treat.
The beauty of this method is that it’s flexible and visual. You can make it as big or small as you like, decorate it with stickers, or integrate it into your planner. Seeing your progress fill the grid gives you a tangible sense of accomplishment long before you reach the final goal.
And that’s the point—motivation grows when progress feels visible.
Measure What Matters
Another benefit of using rewards is that they make you pay attention to your behaviors in the first place. Tracking progress creates awareness—and awareness creates opportunity for growth.
One of my coaching clients, a college recruiter, discovered this first-hand. She started setting a goal for how many student names she wanted to collect at each college fair. Before setting the target, she was doing fine—chatting with students, collecting leads, moving from event to event. But once she defined a specific number, something shifted. She became intentional about how she approached each interaction and found creative ways to reach just a few more students before the fair ended.
Not only did she hit her goal—she exceeded it.
That simple act of tracking gave her a visible measure of progress, a kind of internal scoreboard. And once she saw her results improving, the process itself became motivating.
That’s the other magic of rewards: they make your progress real. They turn vague effort into measurable momentum.
10 Simple, No-Cost Reward Ideas
Need inspiration for your own reward system? Here are a few easy ways to celebrate progress without spending a dime:
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Take a guilt-free nap or stretch break.
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Enjoy your favorite drink from a “special” mug or cup.
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Go for a walk—no steps goal, just movement.
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Watch one episode of your favorite show or a funny video.
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Light a candle or play your favorite music while you work.
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Call or text a friend just to share a win.
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Read a few pages of a book purely for fun.
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Spend 15 minutes journaling or doodling.
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Add a sticker, stamp, or checkmark to your reward grid.
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Take a “mini retreat” by stepping outside for quiet reflection.
Your Challenge
Pick one goal you’re working on this week—something that normally wouldn’t earn much celebration. Then, attach a reward to it.
It doesn’t have to cost anything. Maybe you’ll enjoy an extra-long walk, listen to a favorite podcast, or check off a box on your own reward grid.
The point isn’t the size of the reward—it’s the signal it sends. You’re telling yourself that progress matters, that effort counts, and that it’s okay to enjoy the journey along the way.
Because sometimes, the smallest rewards are the ones that keep you moving toward your biggest goals.