Difficult tasks become easier when paired with something pleasurable.
Definition
Temptation Coupling is a principle suggesting that the likelihood of completing a difficult task increases when it's paired with an enjoyable activity. By linking something challenging with something rewarding, the overall experience becomes more positive, encouraging completion.
Do
Identify the difficult tasks within your product and pair them with rewarding or enjoyable elements
Use gamification elements to make the task more engaging
Provide immediate rewards or feedback to the user after task completion
Avoid
Don’t make the rewarding element too distracting or overwhelming, it should not overshadow the primary task
Avoid making the task more complicated by adding unnecessary elements
Don't rely solely on rewards, the task itself should still hold some intrinsic value
When to apply
Designing user onboarding or learning experiences
Motivating users to complete complex or tedious tasks
Encouraging long-term user engagement with the product