the carrot and the stick
i can’t be the only one who works like this, and i’d like to blame the nuns but that would be lying. although i tend to really enjoy blaming the nuns for things, even if it isn’t true.
i work better in fear of the stick than in pursuit of the carrot. example . . .
the USA plays that game against Canada sunday. i get a text message Monday – someone is putting together a team for Nationals in street hockey, which is in Philly at the end of the month. they want me to play.
simply put, i’m not in hockey shape, nevertheless hockey tournament shape. if i don’t hit the road, drop some pounds, and get some core conditioning in i will be one sorry, hurting unit.
i can tell myself a thousand times – new year’s resolution, lenten resolution, whatever. lose weight, excercise, dig into my book pile, none of it gets done.
faced with the mental image of dragging ass, sucking wind or puking at a hockey tournament – BAM. i’m insta-allergic to beer, bread and 80% of what’s in the fridge. i’m ready to start the cardio, wondering if i can do a morning AND a night session or if that’d be counter-productive. and i’m thinking abs and back routines because that’s what hurts after a game. or two, or four or six.
the stick is so much more effective 
March 2, 2010
Posted in: Uncategorized
One Response
You’re not alone. IIRC there’s actually a boatload of science behind the notion that people get more motivated by the stick than the carrot.
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