Came across an interesting post today that puts into question the merit of publicising my list of goals onto a public forum.

The post was about how announcing your plans to other people,  before actually achieving them, can actually hinder the chances of achieving the objective of the plan. Or ‘keep quiet til the job is done’.

Here is a small excerpt:

”

Tests done since 1933 show that people who talk about their intentions are less likely to make them happen.

Announcing your plans to others satisfies your self-identity just enough that you’re less motivated to do the hard work needed.

In 1933, W. Mahler found that if a person announced the solution to a problem, and was acknowledged by others, it was now in the brain as a “social reality”, even if the solution hadn’t actually been achieved.

“

You can read the full post here.

So, according to this theory, creating Project 183 is a good idea, but creating a website dedicated to the listing, and ongoing accomplishment of the goals in Project 183 is a bad idea…

…not in my opinion!

From my experience, putting my goals into a website has had the opposite effect.

As well as the feeling of pride when I write a ‘completed goal’ post, it has given me a feeling of accountability, because I know that there are readers who have followed the project for a while, and the occasional reader who has been inspired as a result. To not do everything possible to complete the project would not just disappoint me, but potentially it could be a bit disheartening for other people too.

Of course, every case is different, and it is up to the individual to decide for themselves whether to talk plans before or after they are achieved. But for me, telling people early is great motivation to get things done.

For a few days last week, the London Underground train network went on strike.

Mass chaos and confusion among Londoners followed. People couldn’t get in to London and had to work from home, and the roads were jampacked with cars. A long walk was the only option for a lot of people.

That was until Paul Clarke came along.

On the night before the strike, he declared his motorbike available as a mode of transport for anyone willing to jump on the back with him. Calling it the Tweetbike, he publicised his service on his website and Twitter account.

And I am proud to say that I took him up on the offer, and got a free lift into work last week. Was officially the first person to ride the tweetbike too!

The concept ended up proving so popular, the BBC even wrote about it.

When I arrived into work, most people raised their eyebrows that I had jumped on the back of a motorbike, let alone with someone I had never met or spoken to before.

But I survived, and had a great time, from start to end. And thank you Paul, for the great, and at times exhilarating start to my day.

Often it is when you go into the unknown or risky that you end up with the most memorable experiences. Never let uncertainty get in the way of a great opportunity.

You can read all about Paul’s tweetbike here, and the BBC article here.

Sean has written a post about ten tips for creating a useful bucket list.

Great reading for anyone about to start.

If this is you, check out the post here.

I am off this week for a great two week vacation, which includes a week in Bali to catch up with the family. While here, I plan to knock off goal 81, which is to go scuba diving.

In the meantime, I will decide if I have already knocked off goal 172, which is to form and play in a basketball team.

Reason for having to decide is that I have just formed and started playing in a football (soccer) team. The point of the goal was to form a sporting team, and basketball seemed as good a sport as any to nominate. But everyone over in the UK plays/is obsessed by football instead.

But should my forming of a football team count? Feel free to comment.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Wanting to avoid another weekend with nothing to do?

Then check this out.

From one of the blogs that I enjoy reading, Crack Unit, comes a great post about some things you can do THIS weekend, for little to no cost.

So if you are looking for something new to try, why not take on one of the suggestions mentioned in the post.

My favourite suggestion was to “buy an ingredient from a ’specialty supermarket’ and make something with it.”

See the post here.

Very recently we had some sad news from Australia. Nat’s cat, Gemma, had passed away. 

Always a big fan of Project 183 (and a loving companion too), this post is a little tribute to Gemma.

R.I.P.

Here is me, waxing lyrical with Richard Branson

This photo overlooking Queen Street Mall in Brisbane, with a big old Project 183 magnet in the middle of it, has just been selected as the official photo of the Queen Street Mall in the sixth edition of Schmap, a company that produces travel guides.

Emma from Schmap sent me an email a while ago to let me know that the photo was up for consideration, and I just found out today that it was selected.

Very cool indeed.

I can’t take the credit though – the photo was taken by Shane, who received magnet #30 one of #183 limited edition Project 183 magnets last year. So well done to Shane.

I still have a small handful of magnets left, so if you want one – get in quick before they are all gone. Just leave me a comment on this post.

Even from the other side of the world, where I am in London, it is difficult not to be upset by what is happening in at the moment.

The bushfires that are thriving during the heat wave have now killed 135 people (with numerous more not yet accounted for) and are the worst Australia has ever seen.

Even the famous have not been immune, with respected newsreader Brian Naylor and his wife both perishing.

Mother Nature certainly has a cruel and unforgiving nature, and to hear that some fires have also been deliberately lit is beyond belief (although I hold out hope that these people will get what they deserve).

The only thing I can do from over here is pray that the winds of change will come through soon, and things will stop. And that the brave fire fighters doing their best in an unbeatable situation will be able to save as many lives as possible.

The other thing I can do is donate to the CFA fund. And you should too – just call 1800 811 700 or go online and pledge what you can to help.

Out of all of this, it must be remembered that, like the winds, things can change for the worst VERY quickly. So don’t let life slip you by; make the most of every day you have left on this very peculiar planet.

If, like me, you have been caught up in the buzz and excitement of Twitter, you can follow me here.

If you aren’t on Twitter yet don’t worry, you will be on soon…my prediction for 2009 is that at the end of this year Twitter will be where Facebook is now. Time will tell.