Virtuous cycle

Overview

A virtuous cycle is a positive feedback loop where an improvement in one element causes an improvement in another, which in turn improves the first element further. In economics, it is explained in the form "a good economy increases spending, and spending keeps the economy good." The opposite is a vicious cycle, a state where a negative chain continues.

A model of the virtuous cycle in a question box

A virtuous cycle in a question box might turn like this, for example. You give careful answers, then followers think "I want to ask this person something," then high-quality questions arrive, then you can give interesting answers, then you gain more followers, and then a wider variety of questions arrives.

The starting point of this cycle is "careful answers." Not cutting corners on your first few answers and answering with gratitude is what sets the gears of the virtuous cycle turning. On the other hand, if you keep giving sloppy answers, you can fall into a vicious cycle. The quality of the questions drops, you lose the motivation to answer, and your answers get even sloppier.

Tips for keeping the virtuous cycle going

Once a virtuous cycle starts turning, it continues on its own, but it can also stop. If you fall behind on answers because you're busy, or get worn down by negative questions, the cycle slows.

When it's about to stop, go back to where you started. Remember how you felt when you first started your question box: "I'm happy to get questions," "Answering is fun." If you can get that feeling back, the virtuous cycle may start turning again. You don't need to aim for perfect answers. Enjoying answering in itself can become fuel for the virtuous cycle.