Say What?

Ignorance is not bliss? Knowledge is power? Maybe. But If the ball bounces your way and the other guy slips, you might just walk away with double your salary. Just ask Juju Smith-Schuster. He was a player for the Super Bowl LVII winners, the Kansas City Chiefs. In the final two games of the season, he effectively DOUBLED his salary. The crazy part is he didn’t even know it! Yes, he made an extra $1 million and had no idea of the incentives.

Homeboy got a payout he didn't even know about. This begs the questions: How did he not know what was riding on these last 2 games? Who is his agent?

A couple thousand years ago, history tells us of a man who took about 200 men and won a big fight. Afterwards, during the post-war interviews, apparently he was asked about his incentive for winning this incredible battle. His response was astonishing. He said, “Keep the money. Keep the fame. I’m not interested in it. Somebody has something better for me.”

"How much bigger?!" They shouted. "Who?!"

His reply was puzzling. “God: my Incalculable Incentive.”

Two Things

1. Do Your Job Well

That’s generic. So, here’s some clarity: understand what your role is in the context of relationship. What have you told others you will do? By “others” I don’t mean your 532 IG followers, but the people close enough to you to tell you your breath stinks. Do that. Who are they depending on you to be? Be that. Add value to that person's life. Add value to that entity or organization.

Juju couldn't control a lot of things during his season. But he could control his effort, and the results speak for themselves. Had he not been doing his job well, his team may not have gotten as far as they did. And he REALLY would have never known about those incentives.

2. Know Your Incentives

Rumor has it, Charlie Munger said “Show me the incentive and I’ll show you the outcome.”

There is a reward for your dedication, commitment and “performance” in those relationships. The reward is your incentive. And incentives are far more than money.

Your incentive is a child who actually enjoys your company. Your incentive is a spouse who actually loves and respects you, not just tolerates you. Your incentive is a body that can actually relax and rest. Your incentive is a mind not spotted with unease and anxiety but strengthened by peace. Money cannot buy that. Fame cannot buy that.

What incentives are truly driving your daily decisions and behaviors? Working harder will not always get you what you want. It will only get you the incentives you are committed to. Many times, those incentives are only incentivizing the wrong behavior.

• What incentivizes you to work overtime?

• What incentivizes you to NOT work overtime?

• What incentivizes you to be present with your children? Your spouse? Family and friends?

Your life is the way it is largely because of your incentives.

I spoke with a man recently who is self-employed. He’s a “solo-preneur”. At times he turns down work for ethical reasons. He refuses the extra incentive the customer offers. The money is not worth his time, reputation, or the disrespect he would be accepting if he accepted the job.

I heard a millionaire recently say he changed his sales team's performance by changing the incentives. He incentivized desired behavior and choices and therefore produced change. Sales became better. The company made more money. Show me the incentive and I’ll show you the outcome.

This is why deterrents work. This is why rewards work. Maybe this is why our lives are the way they are.

TL/DR

Abraham, the warrior-rescuer, was not incentivized by money, fame or a fight. His incentive was relationship with God and people. He rescued his nephew and, in the process, multitudes of other people. He did not ask for money, people or notoriety in return.

God later showed up and spoke meaningful words to him “I am your reward, Abe. I am your incentive.” How did Abe respond? He asked for increased relationship. “Lord, I just want to be a father…”

What are your incentives?

“Where your [incentive] is, there will your heart be as well.”