Let’s say that we have committed to a long or medium term targets. It goes perfect at the beginning, we are motivated and day after day we are closer to achievement. But some time along the way our will fades, and we have to make use of some tricks.
It is always advised to tell our targets with our friends. That creates a commitment to them that compels us to go on. But still you can go on even farther: compete with somebody to get things done.
Find a close person (a family member, a work mate…) and challenge him or her to get better results. Find a way to measure your success (for example, if you are both dieting, you could measure it in kilos). Also, try to agree on some prize or reward, and go for it.
I (Dani) have been using this method for almost a year with a friend. Our objectives are different, so we decided to use Joe’s Goals. There each of us set up his own targets, and then we agree on the effort that each task requires, so our points count are balanced. At the beginning of each week we compare our evolution and the loser invites the other one to breakfast some day of that week (and we take the opportunity to compare notes about our blogs and other productivity issues).
Advantages of this method.
- Commitment: as I have said, it is a common advice to tell other people about your objectives, even if they rest only on your shoulders.
- Creates sustained pressure: if you keep contact with that person throughout the week, it is likely that you compare how you are going, which would motivate you (especially if you are behind!). In our case, we not even talk about how much work we have done, but how many points we have earned.
- Socialize: this healthy competition (of course, this is what we want; a harsh competition will lead us by a road we don’t want to follow) creates a sense of complicity that improves the social relationship.
Joe’s Goals aside, there are many other tools to check our progress, such as 43 Things. This social engine can serve us also to look for anonymous competition if we do not feel confident enough to ask any of our acquaintances.
Great idea! I’m not a competitive person, but I can see how this could be a terrific motivator. I watched my son do this in kindergarten with two other classmates. It worked- at the end of the year they were doing third grade work and reading at a fifth grade level!
Thanks Jamie, please note that -as I said in the article- this is a translation from a Spanish blog: “Du Tudú”
I have to think on this one. I seem to be failing at many things that I start these days. It is a great concept. I know in my younger days…I was a very competitive person.
Thank you for sharing this.
You share some interesting insights here gal! In fact the reason why most goals end uncompleted is lack of will power. When we start we are highly motivated but sure, as we slowly get back into our routines the will power fades and oops the goal winds up uncompleted. I love the concept of friendly competition, it is different from aggressive competition. Rather being based on rivalry, it is based on love.
@ Tammy: Your welcome. To be honest I’m not a very competitive person -except at sailing when I am BAD. I don’t know what happens, Dr Jeckyll and Captain Hide-, but I feel it is good to use insights from other people.
@ Yes; sometimes we all need a little push from outside and “everyday” victories. If I were a mom I would “reward” my kids not only for results but also for the things they have to do to get results. I mean dieting and doing your homework should be felt as a little “everyday victory”.
Our little blog Paunchiness.com is all about a friendly sibling rivalry to lose a little weight. It’s working for some of us.
Great Paunchiness, I’ll keep an eye on it
Support from friends is always a great thing, isn’t it!
Amen to that, Robin
Miguel, thank you for reading our blog and translate it. Good job!
De nada, you’re welcome Du Tudú