Public Accountability: Why Social Media Goal Sharing Fails
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Chapter 1: The Myth of Public Accountability
In today's digital era, many people believe that broadcasting their goals and aspirations to a wide audience is beneficial. The assumption is that more visibility translates into greater success, fueled by encouragement from friends, family, and even strangers. However, I have a different perspective.
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Section 1.1: Personal Experiences
Take the example of Brandon Sanderson, a well-known sci-fi and fantasy writer. In 2022, he made headlines by launching a Kickstarter campaign after writing four novels during the pandemic. He set a one-year timeline for editing and releasing them through a subscription service. While this kind of public commitment might work for someone with a significant following, I don't share the same platform or audience.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Limits of Digital Connections
Inspired by Cal Newport's "Digital Minimalism," I often think about the concept of 'connection lite.' Despite our best intentions, social media fails to fulfill our deeper longing for meaningful relationships. It tends to promote superficial interactions; for instance, I recently reacted to a friend's post about her child's birthday with just a heart emoji. Such minimal engagement feels inadequate, and I wouldn't find a handful of likes on my goal announcement particularly motivating.
Section 1.2: The Discomfort of Sharing
Posting about personal workouts or daily achievements makes me uneasy. To me, it feels like a form of self-promotion or bragging that contributes to the overwhelming noise of #bestlife posts.
Chapter 2: Understanding Friends' Perspectives
It might sound harsh, but the truth is my friends aren't as invested in my daily struggles as I might hope. They genuinely want to see me thrive, but they are also preoccupied with their own lives, managing careers and families. I don't want to add pressure by expecting them to engage with my constant updates.
In this video, Simon Sinek discusses the pitfalls of public accountability and why it may not lead to success. He emphasizes the importance of intrinsic motivation over external validation.
Section 2.1: The Illusion of Progress
Social media is rife with bold declarations of intent, but without concrete actions, these claims mean little. According to Marwa Azab, Ph.D., publicly sharing your goals can backfire by tricking your brain into thinking you've already accomplished them. The dopamine rush from positive feedback can leave little motivation for actual achievement.
Section 2.2: The Flaws in Punitive Motivation
Many goal-setting frameworks are reminiscent of childhood "if/then" scenarios, which often involve punitive measures. Personally, I believe that this kind of pressure stifles creativity and motivation. Instead, I lean towards rewarding myself for taking action rather than punishing inaction.
Final Thoughts
While some individuals thrive under the scrutiny of public accountability, finding that pressure invigorating, I prefer a more discreet approach to pursuing my objectives. I value the freedom to explore, whether I succeed or falter. When I do decide to share my achievements publicly, I want it to be a celebration of reaching my goals—not just another post in the endless social media scroll.
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