More seriously, I'm trying to get in the habit of not talking about any side project I've not shipped yet, since when I "announce" them in advance I end up not shipping anything. Turns out this might actually have a basis in science, as recent studies allege that the brain "discharges" some energy/motivation when one talks about future plans.
My theory is that when we talk or in some cases even think about future plans, it gives us a sense of acomplishment before having done anything. Then we keep doing it because falling in love with an idea is easier than putting in the work to do it. And before you know it it's been a year and you're still just talking about it.
I read that too some time ago. I understood that once you announce your project, you get some of the social credit for it. This "advance credit" diminishes the return on actually putting down the work, which also tends to become more tedious towards the end of the project.
I observed this with myself: many years ago I was planning to write a novel. I had already sketched out the plot etc., and of course told my friends a family about it. For about half a year, they kept asking me about the progress. In retrospect, I quite enjoyed being "an author" in their eyes. It seems I did benefit from announcing my project without actually ever finishing it, which may very well have lowered my motivation to pull through with it. Anecdotically QED, I guess...
I tend to agree. When you've announced your project you feel like a weight has been lifted and you got something done. Then you go do something else. Better to announce your success rather than your plans. This is true for life in general, imo.
I used to do this, but I've found that having a little bit of social accountability helps more than having absolutely zero. I like to play mysterious and make small morsels of what I work on public as time goes on
Interestingly, I don't find social accountability a good motivator. It motivates me to continue, but it stresses me out as well, and when I put the two together I don't come out motivated.
I'm fairly sure i remember this from Thinking Fast, Thinking Slow. Telling people your grand plans, gives you a chemical reward and actually reduces your chances of doing it
More seriously, I'm trying to get in the habit of not talking about any side project I've not shipped yet, since when I "announce" them in advance I end up not shipping anything. Turns out this might actually have a basis in science, as recent studies allege that the brain "discharges" some energy/motivation when one talks about future plans.