I’ve decided to start using Beeminder to help me stay focused and on track to meet some of my tougher goals. Purportedly, this reminder system will help me stick to my goals over the long term with the added bonus of enacting a penalty if I fail to do so.
Here’s how it works – I commit to a quantifiable goal for a specific period of time and Beeminder outlines a yellow brick road to show me if I’m on track. If I fail to stay on track, I get charged $5 initially to unfreeze my goal and be allowed back on the yellow brick road. The fee continues to escalate if I cannot or will not stick to my goals over the long term.
I’ve decided to try it because I know something about myself – I respond better under pressure and when there is a penalty for ‘bad’ behavior. As much as I like to believe I’m a virtuous, disciplined, clean-living kind of person by design, a multitude of experiences have led me to deny this idealized version of myself. If left to my own devices (with no need to earn a living or socialize) I would pretty much spend my entire day watching television, eating pound cake, sleeping and, well, that’s pretty much it. On particularly vigorous days I may do a little Zumba (because it’s fun), make a phone call or two or surf the net, but that would be the extent of my endeavors. I have accomplished all that I have in life to this point through discipline, persistence, and forcing myself to do uncomfortable things (earning a living, working out consistently, going back to school for long periods of time, etc.). I did these things not so much because I wanted to be a better person, but because I found the alternatives (being poor, becoming overweight, being stuck in a low-paying job (i.e., not being able to save the world) so much more uncomfortable and intolerable. Do you know what I mean?
So while I’ve accomplished a fair amount in my life, I sense
that my time here on earth here is ticking down. Not in a morbid, depressing
kind of way. But in an inevitable, I’m 40 years old and perhaps half my life
(and certainly a good number of working years) is most likely behind me. And
also because I sense that sitting on the couch and eating pound cake is probably
not going to get me where I want to be (though it sure would be fun...sigh).
In addition to my normal routine, there are some other areas which could use improvement. I’d like to post more entries to my blogs on a regular basis. I’d like to formally commit to my 3-4 day a week workout schedule. I’d like to save a regular amount of money each month (instead of giving in to the temptation that is DSW (a warehouse shoe store for those who have successfully resisted this temptation). I’d like to do concrete, manageable tasks that will improve my career, spirituality and lifestyle. And I’d like to feel like time is not slipping away from me as I dreamily contemplate what I could be doing if I wasn’t sitting on the couch (well, actually it’s an incredibly comfy recliner, but you get what I mean).
If you’re interested, here is some good reading material about Akrasia, aka our ability to continually procrastinate and put things off (even things that we want to do). Also, here is the Freakonomics podcast that got me interested in the first place. And here is a definition of commitment devices so that you too can share my joy in discovering that other people actually need things to force them to do things like perhaps you and I do.
And, because I believe in public shaming, here is a link to my workout chart. Journey with me as I consistently work out at least 3 days every week!
Hooray for the procrastinators!
Sonya, holy cow, thank you so much! You are *exactly* the kind of person Beeminder was built for. (I know because Bethany Soule and I built it for ourselves and we're exactly like you. :))
I looked at your list of goals and I'm nervous that you don't know what you've gotten yourself into though! Beeminding that many things at once is really really hard. Maybe at least dial down the steepness of all but a handful of your yellow brick roads till you're sure what's reasonable to commit to? (Or maybe you thought of that and they're already mostly set conservatively.)
In any case, we're delighted by this post and your enthusiasm. We'd love to hear your thoughts as you travel these myriad roads.
Thanks again!
Danny of Beeminder
Posted by: Daniel Reeves | October 21, 2012 at 01:48 AM
Yes, Dan, I am a classic overachiever. The really shameful part about all those darned goals I have on Beeminder is that I was doing at least half of them already! I am very accomplishment and goal-oriented, so I was already doing some of those goals, but not as well as I'd wanted to.
I would lose track of about half the items on my eternal to-do list. Particularly those items without a regular schedule. I kept thinking, well I'd like to publish at least 1-2 times per month, and, hmm, when was the last time I did that? Or, I know I should take my vitamins at least 5 days per week, but did I do that last week? And the part of my brain responsible for keeping track of those items would remind me of how overloaded it was and fail to return any actual useful information.
So Beeminder has turned out to be a godsend for me. It answers the questions - how am I doing on my goals? When was the last time I say, took my vitamin? And how many days can I slack off from my workout before it matters? It is now my brain substitute.
It's actually been somewhat of a lifesaver for me. I have been more productive in the last week or so than in the previous 6 months. Somehow Beeminder has succeeded where so many other products have failed.
So hats off to you for making such a great product. I'm looking forward to having an amazingly productive year with Beeminder 'minding' my goals for me :-)
Posted by: Sonya Triggs-Wharton | October 23, 2012 at 12:44 PM
big veggie and fruit juice. A toasted slice of gluten-free multigrain bread, (or a brown rice tortilla), with half of a bell pepper, a handful of nuts.
Posted by: diet | January 11, 2013 at 01:15 AM
Hi I am so happy I found your weblog, I really found you by accident, while I was researching on Bing for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a fantastic post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don't have time to read it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the great work.
Posted by: Max Trim Review | September 20, 2013 at 06:37 AM
Hmm it looks like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I'll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I'm thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I'm still new to everything. Do you have any helpful hints for novice blog writers? I'd genuinely appreciate it.
Posted by: prohormones for sale | October 17, 2013 at 07:43 PM
Hello, i feel that i noticed you visited my website so i came to go back the choose?.I am trying to find issues to enhance my web site!I guess its adequate to make use of a few of your ideas!!
Posted by: Garcinia Total Weight Loss | October 19, 2013 at 10:32 PM
Wow, this article is pleasant, my sister is analyzing these kinds of things, so I am going to inform her.
Posted by: weight gain supplements for men | October 27, 2013 at 03:13 AM
Pretty part of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I get actually loved account your weblog posts. Any way I will be subscribing for your augment or even I achievement you get entry to persistently quickly.
Posted by: web page | November 08, 2013 at 10:13 PM
Good post. I learn something new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It's always interesting to read content from other writers and practice something from their websites.
Posted by: freeside.co.uk | November 09, 2013 at 05:33 AM
Howdy! I could have sworn I've visited this blog before but after going through many of the posts I realized it's new to me. Anyways, I'm definitely pleased I stumbled upon it and I'll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!
Posted by: telefonsakalari.net | November 09, 2013 at 07:53 PM
Hello there! Do you use Twitter? I'd like to follow you if that would be okay. I'm definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.
Posted by: makeup | November 10, 2013 at 04:19 AM
I'll immediately seize your rss as I can't find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly allow me recognize in order that I may subscribe. Thanks.
Posted by: best muscle building Supplement | November 10, 2013 at 01:40 PM
You are so cool! I don't believe I've read something like that before. So wonderful to discover someone with some unique thoughts on this subject. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality!
Posted by: Wheresthesausage.Typepad.Com | November 12, 2013 at 06:29 AM
Valuable info. Fortunate me I discovered your website by chance, and I am surprised why this accident did not happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
Posted by: anti ageing products | November 12, 2013 at 11:08 AM
Thanks for sharing such a fastidious idea, post is good, thats why i have read it completely
Posted by: Raw Burn Diets | November 12, 2013 at 02:01 PM
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thanks, However I am having issues with your RSS. I don't understand the reason why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone else having similar RSS issues? Anyone that knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
Posted by: enlargement pills | November 14, 2013 at 05:54 PM