Contributed by Info Guru Aurora LaJambre

Ideally, the motivation to excel comes from deep within a person.

But look around an office or classroom and you’ll see people of all ages get a huge boost from recognition.

When someone goes above and beyond, they deserve acknowledgement – it encourages them to continue pushing themselves. At work, school or home, everyone stands to benefit from one person’s extraordinary efforts because ambition is contagious.

Recognize the hard work of your highest fliers with these top ten ways to reward achievement.

10. Presents

Never underestimate the power of a present. Seeing a gift with your name on it, perhaps wrapped in shiny paper, makes the heart swell. Give over-achieving employees something useful, like a leather iPad stand, a grilling apron or a sports bag, and they’ll have a tangible reminder of your appreciation. Employee gifts promote loyalty and keep enthusiasm high without costing a lot of money.

9. Trophy

Motivate the entire group and have some fun by creating an award. It can be as straight forward as a Highest Seller Trophy or as specific as a Best Conjugator Medal for language students. Achievement awards give people something concrete to take home and serve as a carrot to dangle for next year’s bigger goals.

8. One-on-one time

You’re not the only one who values your time and attention. Invite the achiever out for a cup of delicious coffee and talk shop for the first five minutes, then relax and have a good time. A few minutes of quality time is one of the best ways to reward achievement, and give you a chance to further encourage his goals.

7. Praise

While it would be nice to receive buckets of money every time we landed a new client or scored the winning goal, that wouldn’t be sustainable for the giving side. Praise, when it’s sincere and specific, can make a person’s day. Not all praise is created equal though. A pat on the back is nice when someone does their job exceptionally well. When they go beyond basic responsibilities, say so loud and proud. Dump some Gatorade on his head while you’re at it.

6. Gift basket

Happy occasions merit a gift with Wow factor. And lucky for your there’s a festive, tasty or fruity basket for all interests. Find out what she likes so this gourmet gift basket reflects her tastes. From a box of cheesecake samplers, to a picnic basket of meat and cheeses, this is one reward she’ll eat right up.

5. Paid Time Off

For salaried employees, a few additional days of paid time off (PTO) means more time with the family, maybe even a few more days at Disney World. For workers at small businesses that don’t typically offer PTO, these days are a gift impossible to take for granted.

4. Higher title

In many industries, promoting a professional with a higher title is one of the ways to reward achievement that has more value than a one-time cash bonus. Job titles improve portfolios and increase the person’s daily responsibilities, opening more opportunities to excel.

3. Money

Businesses and parents alike know that money is the mother of all motivators. A bonus or slight increase in allowance has significant value to the recipient. Money helps people cover their needs and improve quality of life. Bonuses help companies retain their best workers who would otherwise seek to promote themselves elsewhere.

2. Thank you

Send a Thank You card. Sometimes people don’t realize how their efforts benefit those around them. When your son lands that scholarship to the college of his dreams, let him know how inspiring he is to younger siblings. When an employee charms local customers, let him know he’s part of your business’s success.

1. Get smoochy

Don’t just say “Thank you”, show it with a big fat smooch and a hug. This one’s probably best reserved for non-work, non-academic relationships. When your hubby gets a promotion or your daughter brings home straight A’s, give ‘em the affection they deserve. And maybe top it all off with spontaneous sundaes or pizza night.