Living in audacity - the power of radical consequence
What would happen if people acted with full consequence? If they did exactly what they said they would. If words were always followed by actions. What if there were no gaps between intentions and real outcomes?
This might sound like a naive thought experiment, easily dismissed and brushed aside. But for me, it’s a question that has deeply fascinated me—one that’s lingered, intrigued, and refused to be ignored. So much so that I dedicated six months of my life to exploring it. During my studies I made it the focus of a research project: A World of Consequence – What Would It Look Like? What would be the psychological, social, and economic implications (yes, that’s the business part, if you’re wondering )?
In the spirit of valuing actions as much as words, I decided not just to theorize but to conduct a little self-experiment. For six months, I vowed to follow through on every promise, suggestion, or passing comment—no excuses, no self-deception, no “I could,” “I should,” “I would.” Just, “I am going to.” No maybes, only definites.
Our world is plastered with empty promises and "Someone should probably..."
This wasn’t a replicable scientific experiment; it was about self-discovery, pushing a philosophical thought to its limits, and exploring my personal boundaries. I set up some ground rules and jumped right in.
To be honest, the whole thing drew some attention. Universally, people agreed I wouldn’t succeed. But they were split on what they thought would happen. One half predicted the most boring, rational life imaginable—everything predictable, no room for spontaneity or surprise. The other half foresaw anarchy—a life led by egoism, brutally honest and reckless, alienating everyone around me.
But life doesn’t play by expectations. What I found in those six months wasn’t a lesson in rationality or anarchy; it was a profound discovery about radical creativity and liberation.
For six months, I lived without excuses, lies, doubts, hidden agendas, or feel-good white lies. I wasted no time pondering, hesitating, or planning for things that would never happen. I felt only the freedom to act, liberated from insecurity and fear. There was no room for them. It cleared away all the fakeness in my life. I lived with a clean slate.
What surprised me most was how this brought out the most creative and intense version of my life. When the question is no longer “if” but only “how,” you stop wasting energy on self-doubt and second-guessing. All your willpower and strength are focused on one thing: getting it done. Suddenly, I had more time, got more done, and felt more energized. The spontaneity I was warned would vanish? It only grew. Lip service was no longer enough—I had to bring my words to life. I dreamed up absurd solutions and lived scenes straight out of a movie. I traveled to distant places only to find the person I’d gone to see wasn’t home. I wrote a book that never got released. I walked unannounced into a board meeting and didn’t get thrown out but listened ot. I slept in a book store. I achieved things I thought I wanted, only to realize I didn’t. I learned that not every fear can be conquered just by being confronted. I made much more time for family and loved ones. I failed. Failed again. Failed all the time but it still always felt like a win. I jumped into many cold waters that you probably shouldn’t swim in. I dreamt lottery numbers, played with them and didn’t win. I grew allergic to empty promises from others and learned to deal with it, but losing respect. I wrote letter after letter after letter full of joy, rage, regret, euphoria and sadness, some of which I hope got burned by now. I said the things people should hear before it’s too late and watched their eyes glaze as they finally heard them.
One big downside: too little sleep.
Did my honesty hurt people? Yes. Did my pace overwhelm them? Absolutely. Did I learn that some things are better left undone? Hell yes. But in partnering with life, I found it was on my side. I learned more about myself, my true boundaries, and how to push them. I understood what I genuinely wanted and what I didn’t. Optimism became an automatic response to challenge, and my relationships grew in depth and truth. I lost friends who weren’t real and grew closer to those who truly mattered.
I discovered there’s no true creativity without consequence. Creativity without action is just random ideas. Creativity without responsibility is daydreaming. If you want to create something meaningful, you have to follow through and own it. I felt free, but I was fully responsible—for every thought, every word, and every action. In case you wonder, in In those months, I slipped up only twice. Once for ego, once for love. And while the first was definitely stupid, I’d do the second again in a heartbeat.
"Ein unverschämtes Leben" - there is no true creativity without consequence
My professor told me afterward that I had lived an audacious, brazen life—ein unverschämtes Leben—outrageous in the sense that I had robbed people of the illusion that such a life wasn’t possible. By simply living it, I took away their excuses, their comfort, their satefy; shining light on all those little stories, we tell ourselves to feel better but know, are not quite true. By doing so, I challenged them to set themselves free too.
Some might have felt offended by my experiment. But when you’re busy doing exactly what you said you would, you don’t have much time to worry about what others think. You’re too engaged in navigating the situations you’ve created for yourself, taking full responsibility.
And what would this look like on a societal level? After all my research, simulations, and data analysis, the conclusion matched my experience: acting with consequence has a positive impact on societal wellbeing and economic productivity. Less money wasted on empty plans, less need for managing and scheming, fewer bureaucratic roadblocks. Learning happens faster, problems get solved quicker, and stagnation fades. Imagine what we could achieve together. Even if you’re not convinced by the argument for personal freedom and radical creativity, there’s undeniable value in acting with consequence—for all of us.
As for me, I’ve tried to carry as much of this radical honesty and commitment into my daily life as possible. Sure, I mess up more often now, and sometimes I give in. But those six months had such a profound impact that this approach has become an integral part of who I am. And although I never set out with any hidden agenda, it turned out to be a career boost like no other.
In a room full of empty promises and declarations of intent, being one person who clearly means it, not only turns heads—it opens doors, builds trust for tackling big challenges, and makes you the go-to person when others are stuck. Simply because you get things done. Even now, I’m still surprised when people doubt me when I announce my plans—whether it’s chasing big dreams, quitting my job, or moving on. Let’s just say, 9 times out of 10, I leave them with no choice but to deal with the consequences of their disbelief later on. 😉
Because, in the end, when words and actions align, life takes on a rare kind of integrity—and that’s a consequence worth embracing.