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“When we’re rewarded for weaknesses, we develop weaknesses”

Steven Pressfield

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Simplified Meaning:

If we get praised or rewarded for things we're not good at or for our flaws, we might start focusing on those and they can become a bigger part of who we are. Think about a student who always gets good grades just for trying, even if the work isn’t great. Over time, they might not push themselves to actually understand the subject better because they’re already getting praised without real effort. They get used to doing just enough, and that behavior can become a habit. It’s like if someone gets out of chores by pretending to be bad at them - eventually, they might actually become lazy or incompetent when it comes to those tasks. To avoid this, it's important to focus on real improvement and skills rather than just seeking praise. That way, strengths get stronger, and weaknesses don’t control us.

Related tags
Behavior Growth mindset Mental health Motivation Personal development Psychology Reward system Self-awareness Self-improvement Weakness
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