That post could be boiled down to a single concept: commitment. If you're committed to an idea, person, goal or objective, you won't have to trick yourself into doing anything, it will just happen. That doesn't mean it will be easy but the effort becomes the means to the end. Without the commitment, the effort becomes the focus.
Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon
11–20 of 30 posts
Re: Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon
#12I totally agree with what he's saying. At the beginning of this year, I weighed 236 pounds (6'1") and felt terrible about how I'd let my body get so out of shape. So, I made a commitment (mostly with myself, but let everyone else know) that I wouldn't eat out at restaurants (one of my favorite things to do - I'm a big foodie) until I got under 200 lbs. That was the only commitment - all of the details, as in what to eat, how to work out, etc. I figured I'd optimize as time went on because I wanted to go out to eat again.
It's been 4 months and I'm at 203 now - so I've lost about 2 pounds a week (while gaining a bunch of muscle too), and am closing in on my (initial...) goal of 200 lbs. Going to have a bit of a celebration, and then set another one for 180 and some type of cardiovascular measurement / achievement. This has been one of the best things I've done in my life so far.
Re: Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon
#13The author says this is not very effective but not bad advice. I disagree, this is perhaps the worst advice you could give someone: # Publicly announce that you will work on your goal, and that you are going to post regular daily or weekly updates regarding your goal. Announce it on Facebook, Twitter, and tell this to everyone you see regularly, etc. http://www.psych.nyu.edu/gollwitzer/09_Gollwitzer_Sheeran_Se... Any…
Don't forget that you are quoting the "What doesn't work" section. That being said, it can still work for some people.
Regarding the madman hack: It is definitely not something that most students do. How did you come to that conclusion? I have never personally met anyone who does it (beside myself), and I know a bunch of students. However, I've heard about some successful people that use it.
Re: Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon
#14This works for something like doing an Ironman, where it's up to you and only you. That's how I did my Ironman.
But it doesn't work like that for things that don't just depend on you, like doing a startup or closing a deal, even of you "Commit to it like a madman. Plow through like a Klingon. No looking back. Celebrate." You have to be very careful about this, because when the "Celebrate." part doesn't come, you'll learn how low the lows really can get.
Re: Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon
#15Brilliant! Now, to find a sadistic, cold soulless partner...
Oh, rats! I've surrounded myself with helpful supportive friends and family. I'm screwed.
Re: Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon
#16This works for something like doing an Ironman, where it's up to you and only you. That's how I did my Ironman. But it doesn't work like that for things that don't just depend on you, like doing a startup or closing a deal, even of you "Commit to it like a madman. Plow through like a Klingon. No looking back. Celebrate." You have to be very careful about this, because when the "Celebrate." part doesn't come, you'll l…
Agreed, but the important thing to remember is that it's not about completing the goal, but rather working towards it. That's a very important distinction.
For example, you can still work on your startup even when others are sabotaging it, rejecting you, etc.
Re: Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon
#17Brilliant! Now, to find a sadistic, cold soulless partner... Oh, rats! I've surrounded myself with helpful supportive friends and family. I'm screwed.
"Tough love". Ever heard about it? ;)
Re: Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon
#18"Like a mad Klingon"
I was just thinking the other day about terms like "ninja", "pirate", and "rockstar" that are so played out at this point they make me cringe whenever I hear them. Isn't there something fresh to convey the concept of being a badass? "Klingon" works pretty nicely. For now at least.
Re: Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon
#19The author says this is not very effective but not bad advice. I disagree, this is perhaps the worst advice you could give someone: # Publicly announce that you will work on your goal, and that you are going to post regular daily or weekly updates regarding your goal. Announce it on Facebook, Twitter, and tell this to everyone you see regularly, etc. http://www.psych.nyu.edu/gollwitzer/09_Gollwitzer_Sheeran_Se... Any…
Don't forget that you are quoting the "What doesn't work" section. That being said, it can still work for some people. Regarding the madman hack: It is definitely not something that most students do. How did you come to that conclusion? I have never personally met anyone who does it (beside myself), and I know a bunch of students. However, I've heard about some successful people that use it.
Yes, my phrasing is kind of weird, it is definitely a "doesn't work" thing. And as the study shows, it might work when the task isn't identity-related, but considering it's an actively harmful strategy (rather than just "not working") I wouldn't even recommend it in passing.
Perhaps not many students act like Klingons but the crucial part of this post seems to be about making a credible commitment, with this as the example:
"I will work on my Android app at least 2 hours every single day for 6 months, or until the app is released. Every day, I will send you an email report of what I’ve learned or accomplished that day, and how many hours I’ve roughly worked. If I skip a day, it’s OK, but if I ever skip two days in a row, I will give you $2000, and do your laundry and clean your windows every week for the next 12 months. You are to hold me accountable, and demand that I hold my end of the deal. If I ever forget to send you an email, you are to call me and ask me about my progress."
While I suppose a lot of students aren't planning on day-to-day schedules for their work (though some certainly do), there is nevertheless a cost that can easily exceed $2k for failing in college.
Re: Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon
#20I don't think the premise is bad, but we're pretty good about separating REAL consequences from contrived ones.
Example:
Several years ago, I put a $100 bill in five different envelopes (w/ no return address)... all addressed to a guy I really, really dislike. I gave the envelopes to my housekeeper and told her that every week, we'd measure my weight and compare it to the previous week. If I didn't lose weight during the week, she was to mail one of those envelopes. It worked for 2 weeks, but then I gained 1/2 lb during the 3rd week and I pleaded until she handed over my envelopes.
I think there might be a workable hack here, but it takes courage to make the consequences real and irrevocable.