While you may hear the words used interchangeably, incentive and recognition have very different meanings. Both reward and motivate performance. However, they do so quite differently. An incentive drives performance like a contract. An if/then clause establishes expected performance for a promised reward: "Do this, get that." Personal recognition fuels the inner drive, igniting the spark of self-motivation into a fully-energized flame of continuing accomplishment. 

Just like with mid-year reviews, year-end reviews can be nerve-wracking for both manager and employee. Your review can sometimes make or break performance—either making them feel bad and lowering their productivity or inspiring them to do better and reach for the sky.

Let’s face it, no one’s perfect. Everyone crashes and needs a boost—whether every day or every once in a while. Regardless of which one you are, here are some relevant habits you can develop to make you more effective at work.

I have a love/hate relationship with my Fitbit.

I love it on the days when I’m rocking out on my steps. I hate it on the days when I look at it at 3:00pm, and I barely have 2,000 steps.

Over the last few years as my kids have gotten older, I’m now able to sit and read a book with little disruption. I’ve always had a soft spot for romance books that don’t have any real meat to them, allowing myself to drift away for a few hours in an easy-to-read story. After a long day at the office or a full day of weekend chores, you just don’t feel like reading something heavy or thought-provoking.