Here's a counterintuitive idea: if you want recognition to matter, you have to limit it.
When we designed Propsly, one of the earliest decisions was whether to give users unlimited recognition points or a fixed monthly allocation. The unlimited approach seems generous - why restrict people's ability to appreciate each other?
But generosity isn't always kind. And unlimited isn't always better.
The Problem with Unlimited
Imagine a workplace where everyone can give infinite recognition points. What happens?
At first, enthusiasm. People recognize everything. Someone held a door? Props. Replied to an email? Props. Showed up to a meeting? Props.
Within weeks, the system becomes noise. Recognition loses its signal. When everything is celebrated, nothing feels special. Receiving props becomes as meaningful as receiving a "like" on social media - technically positive, but emotionally empty.
This isn't speculation. It's a well-documented psychological phenomenon.
The Psychology of Scarcity
Behavioral economists have studied scarcity for decades. The findings are consistent: we value things more when they're limited.
This isn't about material greed. It's about meaning-making. When something is scarce, we pay more attention to it. We think more carefully about how to use it. We appreciate it more when we receive it.
The Cookie Jar Experiment
In a classic study, researchers showed participants two jars of identical cookies. One jar was full; the other contained just two cookies. Participants consistently rated the cookies from the nearly-empty jar as more desirable and valuable - even though they were exactly the same cookies.
Recognition works the same way. Props from a limited allocation carry more weight than props from an infinite supply.
Intentionality Through Constraint
When you have 200 props to give this month, you think about where they go. You notice contributions more carefully. You ask yourself: "Is this worth recognizing? How much?"
This isn't stinginess - it's intentionality. The constraint forces you to be present, to pay attention, to make real choices about what you value.
Compare that to unlimited points, where recognition becomes a reflex rather than a reflection.
Why Monthly? Why Reset?
Propsly resets allocations monthly. This creates several important dynamics:
Fresh Starts
Every month is a clean slate. Last month's missed opportunities don't accumulate into guilt. This month's allocation is yours to use thoughtfully.
Psychologically, fresh starts are powerful. They create natural moments for renewed intention and engagement. The monthly reset makes recognition a recurring practice rather than a depleting resource.
Use It or Lose It
Unused props don't roll over. This might seem harsh, but it serves an important purpose: it encourages action.
If points accumulated indefinitely, many people would hoard them "for later" - and later never comes. The monthly expiration creates gentle pressure to recognize others now, not someday.
It also prevents the emergence of "recognition rich" and "recognition poor" users. Everyone starts each month on equal footing.
Rhythm and Ritual
Monthly cycles create rhythm. The beginning of the month becomes a moment to think about recognition. The end of the month prompts reflection: "Who did I appreciate? Who did I miss?"
Over time, this rhythm becomes ritual. Recognition stops being something you do when you remember and becomes woven into how you work.
The Giver's Experience
Scarcity transforms the act of giving recognition. With limited props:
- You pay closer attention to the work happening around you
- You evaluate contributions rather than reflexively acknowledging everything
- You craft better messages because the recognition feels more significant
- You feel genuine satisfaction when you recognize someone - you chose them
This is the opposite of recognition fatigue. Each act of giving props feels meaningful because it required a real decision.
The Receiver's Experience
For the person being recognized, scarcity matters even more:
- Props feel earned, not automatic
- Recognition carries information - someone chose to spend limited resources on you
- The message gets read because it represents genuine appreciation
- Achievement feels validated in a way that empty praise never could
There's a world of difference between "here are some points I have infinite of" and "I'm giving you some of my limited recognition budget because your work mattered."
Finding the Right Number
If scarcity drives meaning, why not make allocations tiny? Give everyone 10 props per month and make each one precious.
The problem: too much scarcity creates anxiety and hoarding. People become afraid to recognize anyone for fear of running out. Recognition becomes stressful instead of joyful.
The sweet spot balances scarcity with abundance. You need enough props to recognize regularly without stress, but not so many that they become meaningless.
Propsly's default is 200 props per month. This typically allows:
- Several meaningful recognitions per week
- Flexibility for larger awards when someone truly excels
- No anxiety about "running out" for most users
- Enough constraint to require thought about allocation
Pro tier organizations can adjust this number based on team size and culture. Some teams thrive with more generous allocations; others prefer tighter constraints.
The Variable Award Dimension
Propsly adds another layer: variable point amounts per recognition. You don't just decide whether to recognize someone - you decide how much.
This creates meaningful gradation:
- A quick "+5 thanks for the help" acknowledges small kindnesses
- A "+25 great work on that presentation" recognizes solid contributions
- A "+100 this project was exceptional" signals truly outstanding work
The combination of limited total allocation and variable amounts creates rich decision-making. Recognition becomes expressive - you're not just saying "good job" but communicating how much something mattered.
What About Gaming the System?
A common concern: won't people just dump all their points at the end of the month to avoid losing them?
Some of this happens, and that's okay. Even "use it or lose it" recognition is better than no recognition. But in practice, most people develop healthier patterns:
- They recognize throughout the month as good work happens
- End-of-month recognition often goes to contributions that might have been overlooked
- The habit of regular recognition develops over time
Analytics can reveal if someone is gaming the system (all recognition on the last day, every month). But for most users, the monthly reset creates positive urgency rather than problematic behavior.
The Bigger Picture
Scarcity in recognition design reflects a deeper truth about human psychology: meaning requires choice. When everything is easy, nothing matters. When resources are unlimited, decisions disappear.
By giving you a limited allocation of props each month, Propsly isn't restricting your generosity - it's enabling it. It's giving you the gift of meaningful choice in how you appreciate others.
Every prop you give represents a real decision. And that's what makes it worth receiving.