The Illusion of Reward

The Illusion of Reward

We think our habits are about the thing we get. But often, the real reward is something smaller, even shallow — and not easy to spot.
Habits in their simplest form are: cue > routine > reward.

Take gambling. People believe the reward is the jackpot — money, freedom, excitement. But if you look closely, the real reward is the anticipation:
“Maybe this time.”
“Just one more.”
The thrill isn’t the jackpot. It’s the feeling before you pull the lever. That’s why people keep playing — they’re hooked on anticipation, not the payout.

It shows up in other habits too:

• Junk food? Not really the taste. The reward is comfort and distraction.

• Scrolling? Not the information. The reward is a tiny hit of novelty.

• Procrastination? Not rest. The reward is the relief of avoiding discomfort.

Finding the “real reward” can be tricky. But once you see it clearly, the habit shrinks. It loses its magic.

So the question is: what’s the real reward behind your habits?