A time I acted based on the motivation of compensation was when I decided to do door to door sales. Door to door isn’t an easy job because it involves relocating, long hours, rejection, and a commission-based structure. However, my first summer was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I still do it till this day.
Why it mattered
I’m originally from Hawaii, so going to school out of state left me without a car to get around in Corvallis. Also, I didn’t want to have much debt after I graduated due to out of state tuition. So, I decided to try door to door because of the high potential in income. Previously, I would have never even considered doing a job that mentally draining, but I wanted to be able to provide for myself, get a car in the states, and pay for schooling.
I was told stories of others making a $20,000+ in one summer and I knew if I was able to do this, I’d be able to buy a car in Oregon and start paying off my debt. So, I moved to St. Louis, Missouri for three months over the summer to do the job. However, I didn’t make the $20k like I expected. I ended up taking home $36,000 in commission over that period.
The experience completely changed my life in the ways I wanted and more. I bought a car for Oregon, started a fund for my future debt, and advanced in the company being able to double my income the next summer.
It wasn’t the money itself that motivated me to do the job. It was the potential to acquire the lifestyle I wanted for myself and the desire for change.