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Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon

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Re: Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon

#3
There's a fatal flaw in this technique ... one that usually gets me.

What happens when you fail the goal, then manage to re-negotiate the terms of the agreement so the downside almost doesn't exist?

What happens when you know in advance you'll almost certainly be able to do this?

Re: Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon

#4
post #3

There's a fatal flaw in this technique ... one that usually gets me. What happens when you fail the goal, then manage to re-negotiate the terms of the agreement so the downside almost doesn't exist? What happens when you know in advance you'll almost certainly be able to do this?

Klingons don't re-negotiate :) Ok, seriously now: If you fail, you do what you've agreed to. And even if you cowardly re-negotiate, you will probably get a hard time from your partner, which is nothing pleasant.

If you know that you will be able to do it, all the better. You will be able to make a bigger commitment.

Re: Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon

#5
post #3

There's a fatal flaw in this technique ... one that usually gets me. What happens when you fail the goal, then manage to re-negotiate the terms of the agreement so the downside almost doesn't exist? What happens when you know in advance you'll almost certainly be able to do this?

Find a better partner - I really need somebody to clean my toilet.

Re: Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon

#6
post #3

There's a fatal flaw in this technique ... one that usually gets me. What happens when you fail the goal, then manage to re-negotiate the terms of the agreement so the downside almost doesn't exist? What happens when you know in advance you'll almost certainly be able to do this?

Klingons don't re-negotiate :) Ok, seriously now: If you fail, you do what you've agreed to. And even if you cowardly re-negotiate, you will probably get a hard time from your partner, which is nothing pleasant. If you know that you will be able to do it, all the better. You will be able to make a bigger commitment.

I meant being able to re-negotiate :P

And yes, in principle, I'm all for doing what you've agreed to ... but in practice I'd really rather give the partner a different offer we can both be happy with.

Re: Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon

#7
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Klingons don't re-negotiate :) Ok, seriously now: If you fail, you do what you've agreed to. And even if you cowardly re-negotiate, you will probably get a hard time from your partner, which is nothing pleasant. If you know that you will be able to do it, all the better. You will be able to make a bigger commitment.

I meant being able to re-negotiate :P And yes, in principle, I'm all for doing what you've agreed to ... but in practice I'd really rather give the partner a different offer we can both be happy with.

Well, if you know you are like that, just initially settle with your partner that no re-negotiation which would make it more pleasant for you is possible.

Re: Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon

#8
Maybe some good content here, but jesus, does it have to come off as an infomercial?

Although I thought 40 hour work week had some neat ideas in it, my biggest complaint is the army of Tim Ferris clones it has created. I am so tired of the posturing, the "I will flaunt my (real?) success to create success" and other random personality hacks.

I know nothing of the author of this post, but the tone and writing style just makes him sound like he should be screaming the blog post to me, telling me how it is a limited offer.

No offense to you Mr Successful author, this was just the straw that broke my back.

Please.. stop.. the.. madness..

Re: Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon

#9
The 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...

Anyway, I'm still skeptical of the madman hack since that seems like what most students do and most students still have motivation problems.

Re: Achieving Goals Like a Mad Klingon

#10

Maybe some good content here, but jesus, does it have to come off as an infomercial? Although I thought 40 hour work week had some neat ideas in it, my biggest complaint is the army of Tim Ferris clones it has created. I am so tired of the posturing, the "I will flaunt my (real?) success to create success" and other random personality hacks. I know nothing of the author of this post, but the tone and writing style ju…

My thoughts were similar, the content was interesting but the Jeff Atwood writing style had claimed another victim. As a writer, I strive to have my words and ideas express themselves without the constant use of italics, bold and exclamation points. I understand it's a choice (and God knows, it's made Jeff Atwood famous) but there's only so many important things to say in an essay and chances are they don't need to be bolded as badly as one might think.
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