Why we do what we do
by Edward L. Deci · first published 1995
80% recommend20% neutral
Edward Deci, one of the country's outstanding social psychologists, writing with former New York Times science and health editor Richard Flaste, offers some bad news and some good news: Rewards and punishments do not make workers perform more effectively, or students learn better, or families function more smoothly - that's the bad news. Indeed, it is the deadening of interest and commitment, from too much control, from overreliance on rewards and threats, that keeps people from peak performance. But the good news is that people have an innate energy, interest, and excitement about the world
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While i do not claim to have all the answers, the following suggestions might help. What you are feeling is normal. Take a look at the book Why we do What we do: Understanding Self-Motivation by Edward Deci for some insights. Relentlessly work on improving yourself to get "better" at various aspects of "Programming" (assuming that is what you want). Don't compare…
on “Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around” ↗The New Digital Age - Eric Schmidt & Jared Cohen Why We Do What We Do - Edward Deci The Talent Code - Daniel Coyle
on “Ask HN: What are some books that changed how you think?” ↗The best for me would be : - Sapiens ~ Yuval Noah Harari - Mindset ~ Carol Dweck - Why we do what we do ~ Edward L. Deci - Capital in the XXIst century ~ Thomas Piketty
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2016?” ↗…that end i found the following books useful; The Art of Worldly Wisdom (aka The Pocket Oracle and Art of Prudence) by Balthasar Gracian - A set of aphorisms with penetrating insight into Human Nature. Why we do what we do: Understanding Self-Motivation by Edward Deci - A short book from a psychologist. The Empowered Manager: Positive Political Skills at Work by Peter Block Management: A Political Activity by Ted Stephenson
on “Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything?” ↗…motivation" (carrot or stick). Here is a quote to keep in mind: "Drops of water, if they fall continuously, can bore through iron and stone". You may also find the following two books helpful; 1) "Why we do what we do: Understanding Self-Motivation" by Edward Deci. 2) "Flow: The psychology of optimal Experience" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.
on “Ask HN: How do you stay disciplined in the long run?” ↗Two suggested readings: * Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Self-Motivation by Edward Deci. * The Energy of Life: The Science of What Makes Our Minds and Bodies Work by Guy Brown.
on “Ask HN: How to motivate someone who has lost perspective?” ↗…https://hbr.org/2011/12/first-lets-fire-all-the-managers 2) Speech by Dave Packard to HP Managers (1960) - https://gizmodo.com/the-hp-way-how-bill-hewlett-and-i-built-... (this is one of my favourites) 3) Also see the book Why we do what we do: Understanding Self-motivation by Edward Deci for insights.
on “Why are there so many bad bosses?” ↗You will find this book very helpful - Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Self-Motivation by Edward Deci.
on “Preventing Burnout: A Manager's Toolkit” ↗…As an example, You can just be the coordinator and not the lead by using the "Delphi Technique" to come to a consensus on how to study the above mentioned suggestions. PS: You may also find the book Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Self-Motivation by Edward Deci useful.
on “Ask HN: What are some interactive group exercises for devs?” ↗There are plenty of articles out there, see for example; HBR's 10 must read series, On Communication, On Managing People and On Managing Yourself (2-vols each). You might also find Edward Deci's Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Self-Motivation useful. But ultimately everything comes down to Responsibilities and Accountabilities with Definite Rewards/Consequences.
on “Habits of Highly Overrated People (2014)” ↗…person grows in his/her job, slowly the boundaries are made looser so that the person has a greater area to play in. This is an innate need in Humans i.e. nobody likes to feel "controlled". Edward Deci's Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Self-Motivation is a great book on this.
…most of the chapters, sub-sections and so on. I'm starting to feel I'm using this book the same way many religious people use their Bibles, Gita etc..maybe I'll eventually memorize large parts of it. 2. Why we do what we do by Edward Deci It's an older book about human motivation and how it works, it changed the way I think about how to get myself or other people to act meaningfully and I'd say that touched almost all aspects…
on “Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything?” ↗A few more relevant books but coming from different angles; 1. Why We Do What We Do : Understanding Self-Motivation by Edward Deci. - From Psychology angle. 2. The Evolution of Cooperation and The Complexity of Cooperation both by Robert Axelrod - From Game Theory angle.
on “Office politics is not optional: learn to play the game or you'll be its victim” ↗If you didn't know of this already, you might find Edward Deci's Why we do what we do : Understanding Self-Motivation useful.
on “Managing my motivation as a solo dev” ↗You might find Edward Deci's book Why we do What we do : Understanding Self-Motivation interesting. A review : https://thorprojects.com/2020/05/04/book-review-why-we-do-wh...
on “The work you do, the person you are (2017)” ↗