by Kimberly Davis

Created on: May 26, 2009

When deciding which you would rather have in a job, money or recognition, especially in today's economy, the choice can be rather difficult. What motivates you more? Your boss telling you what a great job you're doing, to keep up the good work, or them handing you a paycheck with a higher amount. The trouble with this distinction is that money ultimately is recognition. It is very hard to separate the two.

When your boss gives you a raise, what are the reasons behind it? Usually it has to do with your performance. Even the difference in the size of the raise is a reflection of your performance and how they few your value as an employee. So the question of which is better is hardly a fair one.

In my personal experience, I have trouble feeling motivated to do much in my job on a daily basis. It is not the most exciting job in the world, and it is certainly not what I want to spend the rest of my life doing. I make good money for my position and my age, but that is not the reason I stay. It is because when I do a good job, even if I am just having a good week, getting things taken care of on time and off my desk and showing a positive attitude when people come to me for help, my boss recognizes this.

I have had many instances in my two years employed with this company where my boss will approach my desk to tell me that I did a great job today, or to thank me for helping her with a project that really needed to be done. Hearing this recognition of my work makes me feel good about what I do, though it doesn't make me want to stay for 10 years, it motivates me to do a good job tomorrow. And it also reminds me that while my boss is verbally recognizing the work I do, that it will eventually turn into a monetary compensation, as that is how most employers, if they are able, keep employees happy and...well, employed.

Though for me, it is truly the recognition more than anything that drives me to succeed. Recognition can come in many forms from verbal acknowledgement of your performance, to monetary compensation, to a promotion, to special gifts and/or privileges as a thank you for a job well done. I have, in my past two years, received at one point or another, all of the above. And though we have summarily put a pay freeze for the year with the downturn of the economy into effect, I still continue to feel the motivation in my job to do it well. A new motivator would be to simply show my necessity as job security at this point, but I also know that busting my hump during this downturn and maintaining a positive attitude in the workplace will, hopefully, gain me recognition when things turn up.

That being said, I still stand firmly by my position that when push comes to shove, it's recognition that works best and will pay off in the end.

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