What is the consequence of inaction?
The only thing worse than missing a deadline is missing one without consequences. It begs the question what was the point of the deadline? Worse, it makes the ramifications of future deadlines less significant. It's the seed of procrastination.
Consequence is defined as:
a result or effect of an action or condition. Of significant importance or relevance.
Related words (keywords): result, upshot, outcome, effect, repercussion, ramification, corollary, concomitant, aftermath, aftereffect; fruit(s), by-product, end result, payoff, importance, significance, concern.
I stopped going to my accountability group. The feeling of low self-worth stemmed from kicking myself, as I often do, for not meeting my stretch goals for the week. Those who made progress on their goals couldn't wait to show up and share their success.
I believe failure to meet my stretches was due to a lack of any consequences of inaction. At least not any that were evident to me at the time. It got me thinking how consequences (real or imagined) are the source of our motivation to act.
Stop taking on too much. In order to meet my commits or the week, I must be willing to put my concerns for anything irrelevant aside (at least during time blocks dedicated to [Fill in the blank]).
Do high achieving individuals have a hard time maintain long term relationships? Unless the relationship is a prime concern, it is out of view.
Keep my commits in my vivid display. Out of sight, out of mind runs so true today. Given how inundated we are with noise (data), this is key. Selective ignorance is key! This is also why maintaining a clean workspace is key.
Take on an accountabilibuddy. Inspired by my friend/client Elaina Zuker, I recall a time I was put on 'probation' by one of my last employers. At that point, I already had one foot out the door, my numbers had been tanking and my boss demanded that I have a 7AM daily 'stand up' call with someone he had designated my 'accountability checker' to kick my ass. I had to report in by 7AM, tell him what I was committing to for the day and recap what I had achieved the prior day. It was hell given I really had not desire to do the work, nor did I care much for the person holding me accountable. It was probably a strategy he used to get people to leave on their own terms (which is much less stressful to him than having to firing someone he hired).
I am a point in my own business that I know what needs to be done, and need to get past whatever obstacles seem to be preventing me from doing it. I have a faint recollection of what really lit me up back in 2009 when I started 50 Interviews was the fact I had burned the boats and had to make it fly. It forced me out of my comfort zone on a daily basis.
I've began to put my money on the line. For me, money is a major motivator. I'd go so far as to say the loss of money is more powerful to me than acquiring it. That makes StickK the perfect motivator for me!