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I've written in the past about how I love streaks as a motivating tool.[0] It gives a motivation to get up and do something, when you'd rather do nothing. One

I've written in the past about how I love streaks as a motivating tool.[0] It gives a motivation to get up and do something, when you'd rather do nothing. One thing I try to do on goals that require an action, is not to add stipulations to it like the OP eventually did in the beginning. If you make the hurdle too large you're more likely to break the streak and more likely to fall into inaction, so allowing a small contribution to continue the streak is a net positive. For me, I want to study French every day and I accept that somedays I'm going to be so busy with work that I can only afford five minutes. That's fine--it keeps me motivated the next day and that day likely won't be just five minutes. I've found it doesn't work for everyone. I personally see it as a game/challenge whereas when I speak to other people they find it overwhelming. As always, there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to motivation. It looks like it worked for OP to get to where they wanted to go, though. [0] http://blog.hellopico.com/the-seinfeld-method-dont-break-the-streak/ http://blog.hellopico.com/the-seinfeld-method-dont-break-the...

thoman23 11y ago
I myself find steaks to be a motivating tool. Or at least I'm motivated to eat them.
- MaulingMonkey 11y ago
  Steaks for streaks?
Manishearth 11y ago
> is not to add stipulations to it like the OP eventually did in the beginning. Agreed; in retrospect setting rules was a bad idea (I wanted to keep it "pure" but that was a very arbitrary standard and hard to keep up). Later in the process I was able to maintain the streak with small things when I had lots of other commitments -- but that didn't make me downspiral into only small contributions -- I bounced back -- which was the important part. > you're more likely to break the streak and more likely to fall into inaction This was what I was mostly afraid of once I was well-past the 100 mark. By then I knew that I had gained a lot from it. But I was still afraid that breaking the chain would let me break it again, and again, until it's back to being random bursts (but more regular bursts). Now, I'm no longer afraid of that, because I know that the streak isn't motivating me at all anymore. I'm being motivated by -- whatever it is, I don't really know :P > there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to motivation. Big +1
Grue3 11y ago
It is actually demotivating to me. I know I can never live up to my epic October streak, so why bother?

thoman23 11y ago

I myself find steaks to be a motivating tool. Or at least I'm motivated to eat them.

MaulingMonkey 11y ago
Steaks for streaks?

Manishearth 11y ago

> is not to add stipulations to it like the OP eventually did in the beginning. Agreed; in retrospect setting rules was a bad idea (I wanted to keep it "pure" but that was a very arbitrary standard and hard to keep up). Later in the process I was able to maintain the streak with small things when I had lots of other commitments -- but that didn't make me downspiral into only small contributions -- I bounced back -- which was the important part. > you're more likely to break the streak and more likely to fall into inaction This was what I was mostly afraid of once I was well-past the 100 mark. By then I knew that I had gained a lot from it. But I was still afraid that breaking the chain would let me break it again, and again, until it's back to being random bursts (but more regular bursts). Now, I'm no longer afraid of that, because I know that the streak isn't motivating me at all anymore. I'm being motivated by -- whatever it is, I don't really know :P > there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to motivation. Big +1

Grue3 11y ago

It is actually demotivating to me. I know I can never live up to my epic October streak, so why bother?