The 'Almost' Concept

The Non-Skinnerian Podcast: Where Behavioral Economics and Gamification Redefine Engagement and Motivation

In this episode of The Non-Skinnerian Podcast, host Roman Rackwitz dives deep into the fascinating concept of "Almost," a powerful idea from Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer’s research in The Progress Principle. We explore the psychology behind those pivotal moments when you're so close to completing a task and how this "almost there" feeling can fuel motivation and drive performance.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

• The "Almost" concept from The Progress Principle by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer, and why it’s a crucial phase for motivation.
• How making meaningful progress, rather than achieving the final reward, keeps us engaged and driven.
• The connection between dopamine, goal pursuit, and the anticipation of being "almost" there, as explained by neuroscience research from Andrew Huberman and Robert Sapolsky.
• How the "almost" feeling applies to gamification, motivating through progress and mastery instead of external rewards.
• Strategies to design systems or habits that leverage the "almost" moment for sustained motivation and engagement.
• Real-life examples of the "almost" concept in action, from video games to habit formation and personal goal-setting.
• Why qualitative feedback is more impactful than purely quantitative metrics when it comes to fostering meaningful progress and long-term engagement.

Stay tuned for more insightful discussions in this eye-opening journey!

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