One of the areas in my life that energizes me and brings real fulfillment is podcasting. I launched A Path to Purpose in 2023, but I’m going to be real with you — it didn’t exactly start out as a passion. At the time, I was a new coach who wanted to use my voice to share my story, knowledge, and life experience to help others find their purpose. Yet, I was still wrestling with self-doubt, fear, and confidence. This affected my production habits and my consistency in releasing new episodes. Although I struggled early on, I’m glad I didn’t give up.
Finding Momentum Through Consistency
Since launching the podcast, a rewarding source of encouragement and inspiration to keep going has come from paying attention to my audience analytics. Within the first six months, I started to notice people were listening. My episodes weren’t exploding — and that was okay. They were reaching people, and that mattered to me. That realization fueled me to keep putting in the work of preparing, recording, and publishing more episodes. Fast forward to today: I’ve reached over 1,500 downloads, listeners from 31 different countries, and I’m experiencing slow, steady growth. The deepest reward isn’t the numbers themselves — it’s what they represent: consistency creating real connection, and the person I’m becoming as a result.
Completing the Habit Loop
Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been making our way through the first three stages of habit formation — cue (or trigger), craving, and response.
The fourth and final stage of the habit loop is the reward. This is the end goal of every habit, meant to satisfy the craving that set the behavior in motion in the first place.
Why Rewards Matter
Rewards serve two important purposes:
They satisfy us.
Rewards provide immediate pleasure or relief from the craving. For example, the reward of podcast preparation is the relief that comes from clarity — knowing the ideas are organized and the path forward is clear.
They teach us.
Rewards also act as feedback. My growing audience analytics confirmed that the habit was working. That feedback inspired me to continue.
- The podcast numbers provided immediate feedback
- The growth confirmed meaning and reach
- The identity being reinforced wasn’t “big podcaster”
→ it was “consistent creator with a growing impact”
The Truth About Gratification
Here’s a harsh truth about rewards: we get immediate gratification from many of our “bad” habits. The sugar high from junk food. The extra rest from hitting the snooze button. The dopamine hit from scrolling social media.
But when it comes to good habits, gratification is often delayed. Working out and eating healthy for a week or two won’t take 20 pounds off the scale — but in two or three months, you’ll start to look and feel like a new person. The professional skills you’re learning won’t make you confident or ready for a career change overnight, but they will pay off down the road once you’ve mastered the knowledge and practical application needed to step into that new role.
Makes Rewards Work In Your Favor
On the flip side, here’s some encouraging truth: you don’t have to wait months to feel accomplished or satisfied. James Clear states in his bestseller Atomic Habits, “What is immediately rewarded is repeated.”
So how can we apply immediate rewards to the habits we’re building? Here are a few ways to make those actions more satisfying:
Track the Habit (Visual Proof)
- Checkmarks
- Streaks
- Habit trackers
The reward isn’t the checklist — it’s seeing yourself show up.
Make Short-Term Rewards
Long-term rewards still matter — but they work best when paired with short-term ones.
Examples:
- Treat yourself to a cheat meal at the end of a week of working out and eating healthy
- Watch the next episode of your favorite series after completing your daily personal development tasks
- Review one small win or metric immediately after completing the habit
The immediate reward keeps you going long enough to reach the deeper one.
Identity-Based Rewards
- “I’m someone who follows through.”
- “I kept a promise to myself today.”
- “This is who I’m becoming.”
Identity confirmation is one of the strongest short-term rewards.
Ultimately, what you repeat shapes who you become. That’s the real reward.
Getting Back on The Path
The path forward isn’t paved by results — it’s reinforced by rewards.
Use the exercises below to make consistency feel satisfying before the results arrive.
Bring the Reward Closer Than the Result
If the benefit of a habit feels far away, the habit will feel heavy.
This week, choose one habit and ask yourself:
What can I enjoy or acknowledge immediately after I complete it?
It might be:
- A small ritual you look forward to
- A deserved guilty pleasure (within reason)
- Marking it complete and recognizing you followed through
When the reward is felt right away, your brain learns that the habit is worth repeating — even before the long-term results arrive.
Reward Consistency. Not Outcomes
Growth doesn’t happen all at once — it compounds quietly.
Instead of waiting for big wins, intentionally reward:
- Showing up
- Completing the habit
- Keeping a promise to yourself
At the end of the day, take a moment to name what you reinforced:
“I’m someone who follows through.”
When consistency becomes satisfying, repetition becomes natural.
Consistency grows when desire is clear and the step forward feels light.
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