The Accountability Experiment Update: Month 1…
This experiment is going to pay off, big time. It is May 31st. I am one month into an experiment testing my productivity at achieving my annual goals when cash is on the line. During May, I wagered $200 that I would accomplish 90% or more of my monthly goals. If I fell below that threshold, I would forfeit between $40 and $200 of my wager to my Accountability Coach (see the full rules here).
Here’s my performance throughout May:
| May Goal | Goal Total | % Completed |
| Triathlon Workouts | 26 Days of Workouts | 65.38% |
| Books Read | 3 Books or 900 pages | 133.33% |
| Writing Entries | 26 Entries | 80.77% |
| Blog Posts | 2 New Posts | 100% |
| TOTALS | 100% | 94.87% |
94.87% BAM! Mission Accomplished!
Week 1 proved that this experiment was off to a good start. I completed 100% of my workout goals for the week, was on pace for my reading and writing, and had an outline for my first blog post for May already completed.
I was NEVER that productive prior to this experiment. I’d be lucky to have completed 60% of my weekly goals. I always let “life excuses” get in the way.
One example of the positive influence this wager has on me is one night after a long day of hanging with friends, after eating dinner with several tequila on the rocks, after watching a movie (The Sound of Metal….so good), and then after getting ready for bed, I realized I had not written one damn thing throughout all the indulgences of my day. So I popped into my journal and spent 10 minutes on a reflection.
This actually happened several times throughout the month and although completing my daily writing entry at 11pm while coming down from a Casamigos buzz is not my intent, it certainly is a step in the right direction.
The Discipline of Debt…
I recently heard of this concept about how companies may benefit from adding debt to their balance sheet as it may act as a driving force for growth and improving business practices.
This debt concept is similar to my experiment. Apply pressure (a $200 wager) and allow that pressure to guide your decision making for the better (becoming diligent about monthly goals).
However, just like when a business takes on debt, there needs to be balance. I’m not writing any checks my bum cant cash, but I am challenging myself.
The goal is to find that balance between debt and progress, so the debt I am wagering creates disciplined behavior that helps achieve my goals.
Onward to June!
KC’s June Goals…
- Complete 26 Triathlon Workouts
- Read 3 Books (or 900 pages)
- Write for 26 days
- Publish 2 Blog posts
- *NEW GOAL* Network with 5 new people I admire from my industry
I am on to something positive here.
More to come.
K.C. Clark 