Here's the story (edited
down from Lifehacker.com)
Years ago when Seinfeld was
a new television show, Jerry
Seinfeld was still a touring
comic. When asked for advice
by a young comedian, he said
the way to be a better comic
was to create better jokes
and the way to create better
jokes was to write every
day.
He had a gem of a technique
he used on himself and you
can use it to motivate
yourself even when you don't
feel like it.
He revealed a unique
calendar system he uses to
pressure himself to write.
The Seinfeld Chain Challenge
This Challenge can be used to reach any
desired goal. Let's use weight
loss as a example.
details
Private Challenge --
let's be each other's motivators! Let's
see who can go the longest, we will
exercise (towards goals) at least 30
minutes a day without breaking the
chain. See who can build the longest
chain! If you choose to increase -- no
problem. Just earn your "X".
Would you like to join
me in a private challenge and be each
other's motivators? You'll find this
strategy is simple and easy. Here are
the basics: Exercise at least 30 minutes
a day, log your progress with an "X" on
your calendar and each Sunday post it.
Then see who can build the longest chain
by the end of the year. If you choose to
increase your exercise -- no problem.
Just earn your "X" by exercising daily.
The details are listed below.
***REMEMBER*** If you choose to take the
challenge then remember to add me as
your motivator and I will add you as my
motivator so that we can see each others
results. Being my motivator will entitle
you to receive a weekly email update
regarding my progress. and
you will report to me each Sunday your
progress.
Email
your progress to me at:
info@orderlyoffice.com
Please join me... "Make a deliberate and
specific plan to improve your life!"
rules of goal
setting
Addition
rules: during your
exercise program you
must steadily increase
your heart rate (your
progress) and hold it at
the higher level for at
least 20 minutes per
day. Don't over do it
but give an honest
effort -- no fudging!
breaking your chain
If you
do break your chain you
are still in the
challenge just deduct a
link for each missed day
at the end of the year
and see how many total
links you've
accumulated. So don't
let one missed day get
you down -- keep going!
We will count our links
from your start date to
the end of the year --
most links overall is
the winner.
Here's how it works.
Be very clear about your desired
goal.
1. Get a small monthly calendar and
hang it on a prominent wall.
2. Get a big red magic marker.
3. Each day you do your task, you
get to put a big red X over that
day.
"After a few days you'll have a
chain. Just keep at it and the chain
will grow longer every day. You'll
like seeing that chain, especially
when you get a few weeks under your
belt. Your only job next is to NOT
break the chain."
"Don't break the chain," he said
again for emphasis.
You can use this technique for just
about anything you want to do
consistently - exercising, drinking
water, going to bed early,
organizing, etc.
Small improvements accumulate into
large improvements rapidly because
daily action provides "compounding
interest."
Skipping one day makes it easier to
skip the next.
Think for a moment about what action
would make the most profound impact
on your life if you worked it every
day. That is the action I recommend
you put on your Seinfeld calendar.
Start today and earn your big red X.
And from here on out...
How to Log Progress:
Here is a way to log progress
yourself. In the Stats under "Create
a Custom Measure" enter "the
seinfield chain". Each day you
exercise log an "X" on your small
monthly calendar.
At the end of the month count the
links on the calendar and post your
total as indicated.
Example: Feb MTCL=28
Post this total to the bottom of
your calendar. 1) At the end of the
month I will post my MTCL in my
Journal. 2) subtotal all months at
the end of the year. 3) then deduct
"X's" prior to your start date from
#2. 4) this will give you my total
YTCL.
*MTCL "Monthly Total Chain Links"
*YTCL "Yearly Total Chain Links"
===============================
Start Date 02/03/08
Feb MTCL=
Mar MTCL=
Apr MTCL=
Jun MTCL=
Jul MTCL=
Aug MTCL=
Sep MTCL=
Oct MTCL=
Nov MTCL=
Dec MTCL=
----------------
________ 2) subtotal MTCL
- _______ 3) deduct my "X's" prior
to your start date
_________ 4) My YTCL
Let's Go!!! Break a sweat but DON'T
break the chain!
Q: Does it cost?
This private challenge does involve
money.
You
see I believe that it is much like
writing your own software program.
You can get it started by yourself
and save big bucks but then a coach
can fine tune you. The key is
to stay committed. This can save
you big $$ ASK YOURSELF what does it
take to make this commitment? Money?
Does it take paying someone big
dollars $350 and up? Would
this be a obvious reminder that you
are wasting your $$ if you DO NOT
put your goals first?
I CAN SAVE
YOU THE UP FRONT $$. if each day you
DO NOT “make every day count”
towards your desired dream as
planned then post $$ Bobi this
represents the money I owe my Coach
“Bobi” $$. Make this an amount
that truly makes you think twice
when you fall off the wagon.
It takes personal commitment. You
can mark your "X's" on a calendar at
home. See how many months you
can make continuous XXXXXXX's ~bobi~