The cowboy hat is the best human nature experiment ever.
About a month ago, I waxed lyrical about the cowboy hat, explaining how it was a great discovery of intrinsic motivation (#398760). My focus was on the hat at all times. Darned if I lose it.
Today I welcome my 63rd day with the cowboy hat. I suspect I won’t be as devastated as the me a month ago if I were to suddenly lose it. After all, 60+ days is a good run. I should be thankful.
After a while, you realise that holding on to your cowboy is all there is to it. It’s not like I’m gonna get extra sats if I make it to 100 days. No other incentives except for the bragging rights I gain by holding on to it for so long. No rewards to be unlocked.
Staying the course is fraught with difficulties because everything seems so routine-like, so repetitive.
I bet no other Cowboy feels like this. Which means the problem lies with me. The reliance on change, for things to be fast evolving. Seeing my cowboy hat streak add a +1 to the number of days doesn’t bring about any dopamine rush.
Which is why I’m still taking the cowboy hat quite seriously. It has become a symbol of how I can persevere through the boring waters of the everyday. That even if I don’t feel inclined to care about it, my hands will zap automatically.