Summer brings energy, longer days, and a natural desire to be more active. But even in the most enthusiastic workforces, maintaining motivation for healthy behavior can be a challenge. At GoPivot, we’ve consistently seen that points-based systems offer a unique way to translate that seasonal momentum into meaningful, long-term behavior change.

This article explores why points still work—and how they tap into both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to build sustained engagement, especially during summer.

The Power of Points

Points are more than digital tokens. They provide immediate, measurable feedback that turns healthy behaviors into rewarding milestones. Whether it’s logging steps, completing a fitness class, or attending a mental health workshop, points give participants a sense of achievement. They also help quantify progress toward personal goals in a way that feels attainable and satisfying.

At GoPivot, we’ve seen the impact firsthand:

• Participants in our FitWarrior program lost an average of 25 pounds.
• Clients focused on safety reduced OSHA-recordable incidents by 40–60%.

These outcomes demonstrate that points aren’t just motivating—they move the needle. They shift wellness from something abstract into something participants can track, earn, and celebrate.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation: A Summer Synergy

To understand why points work, we turn to Self-Determination Theory (SDT), a leading model in behavioral psychology. It distinguishes between two major motivation types:

• Intrinsic Motivation: Doing something because it is inherently enjoyable or satisfying (e.g., exercising to feel good, be outdoors, or bond with family).
• Extrinsic Motivation: Doing something to earn an external reward or avoid a penalty (e.g., exercising to earn points for a vacation or new fitness gear).

The sweet spot for behavior change lies in the combination of both.

Flexible rewards—especially those aligned with seasonal experiences—can jumpstart action (extrinsic), while the structure and feedback of points builds confidence and mastery that lead to intrinsic motivation over time.

Summer Intrinsic Drivers:

• Wanting to feel healthier and more confident in summer attire
• Enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or swimming
• Spending quality time with family or friends on adventures

Points systems can amplify these goals by giving structure: earn points for taking walks, meditating outdoors, or choosing nutritious meals. The reward becomes the journey itself.

Extrinsic Rewards That Amplify Summer Wellness

While intrinsic goals carry emotional power, tangible rewards can push someone to take the first step.

In summer, the most effective incentives align with the season:

• Vacation packages (or time off)
• Concert and event tickets
• Outdoor gear (smartwatches, hiking kits, yoga mats)

At GoPivot, employees can redeem points for these types of rewards, which gives them a clear reason to participate. These incentives transform wellness goals into shared, aspirational experiences.

And importantly, employees choose their rewards—an autonomy that reinforces motivation and aligns with SDT’s psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Lasting Change Happens at the Intersection

The real magic happens when intrinsic and extrinsic motivations reinforce one another. Consider:

• Goal setting: A person may begin exercising to earn points (extrinsic), but over time, start to enjoy the routine and energy boost (intrinsic).
• Summer context: A parent wants to hike with their kids (intrinsic), and earning a travel voucher for doing it (extrinsic) reinforces both the action and outcome.
• Psychological growth: Earning points makes participants feel capable, and redeeming them in a meaningful way supports autonomy and fulfillment.

This is the feedback loop that supports long-term health behavior change—and it’s exactly what GoPivot’s platform is designed to encourage.

Why Summer Matters

Summer is a time of natural alignment with health and wellness goals. Longer daylight hours, outdoor events, and a collective shift toward activity give HR teams and wellness leaders a unique opportunity:

• Introduce new challenges
• Emphasize flexible rewards
• Encourage community and family-based wellness goals

Points systems provide the framework to turn these efforts into lasting routines—tracking progress, celebrating wins, and giving every action a purpose.

For additional insight into how this synergy supports results, explore GoPivot’s ROI of Wellness Programs or learn how preventative care fits at the center of wellness strategy. And as summer adds new layers of stress for working parents, this guide shows how incentives can make wellness more accessible.

Keeping Momentum Through Summer and Beyond

Points remain one of the most effective tools for driving motivation—especially in the summer, when people are already primed for movement, connection, and goal-setting. They tap into both sides of human motivation: the internal drive for growth and health, and the external rewards that give immediate satisfaction.

By designing summer wellness programs that blend these forces—and using a platform like GoPivot to manage it all—you give employees the power to stay consistent, engaged, and well.