Powerful Student's Stories #9 - The $100 Bet That I Could Only Lose—And Why It Was Totally Worth It

One of the most productive times in my life came from a bet. A one-sided bet. One that I could only lose.

As a trainer, I once told one of my students that I’d finish a key part of my Edenauts game within three months. And to make it interesting, I put $100 on the line.

But here’s the twist: he didn’t have to put up anything in return. If I finished, great. If I didn’t? He’d get the money.

Sounds unfair, right? But that was exactly the point.

Why This Strategy Works

This wasn’t just some random gamble. It was a deliberate way to hold myself accountable. And if you want to try something similar, here’s the key:

• The money needs to hurt a little. Not so much that it ruins you, but enough that failing stings. Otherwise, it’s not a real motivator.

• Bet with someone who won’t let you off the hook. Even better—someone you’re not super close to. Maybe even someone you don’t like much. Because then, failing becomes even more painful.

• It forces urgency. Sometimes, life is just too good. We don’t have enough pressure to change. When things are fine, we float. But when we’re hurt, or under real pressure? That’s when we get focused.

Think about it: When you’re sick, you have one goal—get healthy. But when you’re feeling fine? Your goals are scattered, vague. You want to do things, but there’s no real urgency. This strategy creates that urgency.

Did It Work?

Oh yeah. I made huge progress on my game in those three months. The bet kept me laser-focused in a way normal motivation never does.

But did I win?

Nope. My student got the $100.

And honestly? I don’t regret a thing. Because even though I "lost" the bet, I still won in terms of progress. The deadline, the accountability, the pressure—it all worked exactly as planned.

And next time? Maybe I’ll raise the stakes even higher.