Motivation--Threats and Consequences

I am not really into "motivation". Inspirational words do little to spur me on to great heights and lofty acheivements. Threats and consequences, however, really get me going.

Last night I made dinner with an unemployed recent graduate who found himself famished after a long day's job search (if anyone wants to hire an econ-finance-global studies major, please contact me). He chose the menu of onion-y potatoes, corn bread, and bacon--"two starches and a fat," I called it. It was delicious, but immediately caused horrible mental imagery:

+ ME =


I tempered this notion by adding a salad and bringing Rice Cakes and an orange to work.

I have also hung the "can't button my pants" photo above my desk to serve as my threats-and consequences style motivational mantra: if you eat a lot of food, you will get fat.

Yumm Rice Cakes.