One of the most interesting things we’ve discovered… is that [people] are more motivated by the fear of looking bad than by the hope of getting millions of dollars. So if you want to get millions of dollars, put yourself in a position where failure will be public and humiliating. —Paul Graham

Today is New Year’s Day. It’s goal-setting time.

Normally I keep my goals quiet, hidden to all but myself. As a result, I often fail to achieve them. But, since I tell no one my aims, I can sweep them away and try to forget that I every wanted to achieve them.

This year is different. This year it’s time to put myself in a position to fail.

The goal I’m setting myself is: to earn $1,000 a month on average from location-independent sources before January 1st, 2010. I’m keeping track of progress on this blog — were everyone can see how well I do.

Why this goal? Like most, I don’t particularly enjoy working for someone. $1,000 a month is about half of my living expenses. If I could reach that, I could switch from working full time to part time.

The bar is set, the gauntlet thrown down.

Today is January 1st, 2009. 365 days left. Ready, set, go.

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Header photograph by Bob Jagendorf