Carrot or Stick?

Are you a ‘carrot’ or a ‘stick’ person?


Knowing whether you are motivated by avoiding pain and the
pressure of consequences or by achieving pleasure and rewards can
help you (and your parents) work out the best way for you to be
motivated to do your work for school.


The concept comes from the idea that to make a donkey move
forward you can either tempt it with a carrot (a reward) or
threaten it with a stick (a punishment).


Now we are not saying that you are a donkey! But we are saying
that different things motivate different people.


You are likely to be more of a ‘carrot’ person if you:


tend to be focused on achieving goals

make lots of plans and lists for yourself

find the concepts of rewards and prizes very motivating

often have a clear picture of what you want to achieve



You are likely to be more of a ‘stick’ person if you:


tend to leave things to the last minute

put off unpleasant tasks

prefer to do things when you ‘feel’ like it rather than when
you plan it

like the idea of rewards but aren’t keen on doing the work to
achieve them



If you are a ‘carrot’ person, you can get yourself motivated to
do the work by breaking down the task, setting targets and goals
and making plans. The thought of getting a good mark or achieving
a prize is very motivating for you. Your parents can motivate you
further by offering rewards for achievements!





If you are a ‘stick’ person, you find it harder to get yourself
motivated to do the work. You are more likely to work when you
focus on the consequences of NOT working. When you are putting
things off, spend a minute or so brainstorming all of the
outcomes if you do not get started on the work. Then decide the
first 3 most important things for you to do. Don’t worry about
the rest at this stage, just focus on the top 3.


For parents of ‘stick’ children, these students may often require
more micro-management. Students may need help in determining what
they are going to work on, and parents may need to then check in
every half hour or so to ensure students are staying on task.
These students will be more motivated by negative consequences
such as removal of technology or other privileges if outlined
working conditions are not met. However it is a good idea to
always balance the introduction of consequences for not doing the
work with rewards for doing it! This may not be the driving force
for their motivation, but positive reinforcement for doing the
right thing can lead to really good outcomes.


For students who get frustrated with themselves being ‘stick’
people and leaving things until the last minute, you can start to
move towards becoming more of a ‘carrot’ person. Identify some of
your ‘carrot’ friends, and start to model their behaviour. Ask if
you can plan the work together and check in regularly with each
so you stay on track. It is possible to switch from one modality
to another! However no-one can make you do it, you need to want
to change and then you need to work towards switching your
mindset.