rewarding behavior.

so, i'm trying this new thing, based on stuff i'm getting out of my coaching class, where i try to modify my behavior by rewarding myself for desired behavior. for after all, we learn that way as kids, why wouldn't we still learn that way as adults? i'm combining my personal experimental behavior modification with desperate attempts to make my job more interesting and keep myself motivated. but, i'm keeping it small and simple, one step at a time.

this week, i have set for myself the goal of becoming more disciplined in my work behavior (read: spend less time doing other things on the internet). my mini-goal is to exceed the daily expected minimum of 12 accident analyses by 3 accidents. to reach this goal, i have decided that i should have met the minimum by 3pm, giving me plenty of time to complete another 3 analyses in the next 3 hours before going home. if i have stayed focused enough and worked hard enough to meet the goal by 3pm, i reward myself. with a cookie. not just any cookie. an american oatmeal raisin cookie. the best cookie i have ever had in holland (cookie making is not their strongpoint).

i got my cookie today for making 12 reports before 3pm, both yesterday and today (sorta, one of the reports doesn't actually count cause it turned out to be in the wrong category...but who's being picky these days?).
yesterday i missed it cause they closed early.
today i ran down immediately at 3, to make sure i didn't get distracted and miss their closing time of 4pm. (yes, that's how much i want this cookie...)
i got more and more excited for my cookie, the closer i got to the counter.
mmm, feels so good to get a job well done, and fast. to meet a goal. to see progress. and now to reward myself with something small.

they don't carry the american oatmeal raisin ones any more.
they are the only ones i like.
they are the reason i chose 'cookie' as my reward for meeting my goal.
they are my incentive to help me change my work behavior!
they are practically the reason i get any work done at all at this point!

so i took the new brand. the only type of cookie available. a chocolate chip cookie.
it's bigger. it's soft. it has lots of chocolate chips in it.
i'm sure it's worth it. i'm sure it's just as rewarding....

it taste like cardboard.
with sawdust and butter.
the chocolate chips are small. i can barely taste them.

what a disappointing cookie.