This article proposed a psychological mechanism for improving future work motivation by reflecting on past experiences. Previous studies have claimed that future motivation is maintained by present self-affirmation and a future ideal, and have overlooked the effect of reflecting on past experiences. Rather, it has been claimed that reflecting on past experiences leads to overconfidence or anxiety, and impairs future motivation. In contrast, this article points out that people can maintain motivation through (1) imagining clearly their future ideal selves (setting goals), (2) reflecting on past experiences related to the ideal, and (3) acquiring lessons from the past. In a review of previous studies, we examined the process of reflecting on past experiences to improve future motivation. We showed that people with a clear ideal (goal) reflected on past experiences related to that ideal, and acquired lessons and mental rewards from the past, thus improving their motivation. A new mechanism for maintaining work motivation by reflecting on past experiences was presented, taking into consideration acquired lessons and mental rewards.
