In his words, "Announcing your plans to others satisfies your self-identity just enough that you're less motivated to do the hard work needed."
Maybe announcing goals works for some people, but for me it definitely has the opposite effect. When I keep my goals private, I work to achieve them for my own sake. But when I announce my goals I feel like I'm working toward them to maintain the accolades from friends... accolades they gave me six months back when I merely announced that I'd be running that Marathon.
Similarly, Bob Shaw (science-fiction writer) says he likes to discuss story ideas with people - but he discovered that if he has a good story idea, and he tells it to someone, it satisfies some of the story-telling energy, and he has less motivation to actually write it. I'm not sure if that has the same root as ego satisfaction (is "story-energy" having something great that you thought of? maybe); but it contributes to the same result.
There was a flurry of reporting (e.g. PhysOrg et al.) a few years ago on the same observation being made by researchers. Speculation was/is that the declaration/statement creates in the speaker enough sense of accomplishment that internal drive to complete the task is lessened. In other words, it already feels at least partially done -- as I remember the description -- and drive is reduced.
Whatever the explanation, I agree with you as to the effect in my own experience. Talking about something not yet done, especially as a goal, seems to be counterproductive -- I'll even use the word "jinx".
Edit: Hmm, on the other hand, having a hard and fast deadline -- especially an imminent one -- can be quite compelling and motivating. I continue to debate with myself to what extend I want to / should put myself into such positions (e.g. purposefully loading up the schedule). However, doing so is NOT the same in my mind as making a big public statement. MY knowing the deadline can be motivating. Talking with others about it can be dissipating.
In Asian communities at least, announcing one's goal or declaring an identity to the public means that we will be held to that standard or promise by everyone else, or we lose face and -- how do you say -- bring shame to ourselves and our families. Face is very, very important amongst the Asians in general. I find #2 to be the best motivator in fact. The worst feeling is to feel like a fraud, to be discredited.
Derek Silvers explains how this technique can backfire at http://sivers.org/zipit and in his TED Talk at http://www.ted.com/talks/view/lang/eng//id/947
In his words, "Announcing your plans to others satisfies your self-identity just enough that you're less motivated to do the hard work needed."
Maybe announcing goals works for some people, but for me it definitely has the opposite effect. When I keep my goals private, I work to achieve them for my own sake. But when I announce my goals I feel like I'm working toward them to maintain the accolades from friends... accolades they gave me six months back when I merely announced that I'd be running that Marathon.