Sign Up, Keep Track: adventure by appointment

Being accountable means you’ll be more likely to achieve something.

If I pay for a gm membership, I’ll go.

If I make an appointment with my trainer, I’ll go.

If I say I’ll meet someone for coffee, I’ll turn up.

If I have deadline, I’ll do everything I can to meet it.

Michelle Bridges weight loss campaign relies on keeping people accountable for twelve weeks. It’s like Michelle is with you through emails, videos and Facebook reminders to make sure participants JFDI (look it up to see what it means. Not my usual language use, but the meaning is clear!)

Keeping track of progress is one way I motivate myself. For example, I use a writing program called Scrivener and I set daily word count goals. When I write the minimum I try and write is 1000 per day. Having that goal in front of me keeps me going until I’ve finished.

In October last year, I participated in Walk Over October where the goal was to walk 10 000 steps per day. I kept track of my steps on a pedometer and enjoyed the daily achievement. By the end of the month, I had exceeded the goal and felt pretty good.

There are two types drivers for motivation—intrinsic and extrinsic. We all need a little of both. I’m not a super driven person so I need to have little pushes, even if they’re self-imposed.

Saying yes and signing up creates commitment that keeps me accountable. That’s probably because I’m a promise-keeper. Often it’s living up to my own expectations for meeting a challenge or honouring a commitment to a team. Most of all, it’s a commitment to myself. It’s not compulsory or forced, it’s like stepping off the edge and taking the plunge. Once you step out, you can’t go back. You have to land somewhere. That’s the adventure of signing up and keeping those appointments with yourself.

This year I’ve signed up to do the Oxfam Walk (100km over 48 hours to raise money), completing three books amongst other things.

I’ve put it out there now. You’ve seen my commitment to myself. I’ve stepped out and made it public. Now I just have to JDI. (Just Do It) Adventure by appointment means it will happen!

#365adventure is a book lover’s year of adventures. Adventures in travel, friendship, family, soul, heart and, of course, book stores!