So yesterday I mentioned that I knew I'd be cycling more in the second half of this winter. That wasn't just idle talk, we (CLI and I) seem to have hit on a system that works. And I'm going to detail it below.
At the end of Janurary, I was listening to NPR on the way to work. There was a story (couldn't find a link, but here is an article about the same thing) about a gym that actually charges you if you don't work out.
The basic idea is based on behavioral economics (according to the story I heard). People are more likely to do the right thing (or not do the wrong thing) if there is an economic penalty for misbehavior. I thought the idea was brilliant... as long as you have the disposable income to follow through with it.
That night, CLI and I talked about it and came up with a plan. We both made a set of resolutions, each time we violated those resolutions we would put $5 into a pot and at the end of the month we would give that money to charity. Each month has a different charity, this month's is our local library.
As an additional rule there are 2 restaurants that are know are bad and they seem to trigger misbehavior for both of us. So, eating at either of those costs us $5 as well. (So if we both go it's an extra $10 tacked on to the bill).
My resolutions were: 1) 3 10mile or more rides a week, 2) 1 yoga class a week, 3) 6 hours of work on the wedding website and 4) keeping my diet in line.
So far: 1st week cost me $10 (restaurant violation and lack of website work) and 2nd week cost me $5 (missed bike ride). This week I'm on schedule for $0, but that could change of course.
It's a plan that seems to be working for us, so I thought I would pass it on.
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