The Power of Positive AssociationsWhen I try to achieve something new, perhaps building new muscle or developing a new skill, there's a mental tool I use that makes my efforts much easier and more effective. And I've also noticed that most people don't do this. It puzzles me why, so let me share and hopefully make you think. It's the associations we do. That's it. How we associate concepts, events and pieces of knowledge between themselves matters a lot! Now of course we do this naturally but here's the trick: we can also be deliberate about them. And maybe we should! As an example let's say I decide to really eat 5 pieces of fruit everyday. Healthy habit, right? Don't come with the "too much fructose" thing, I'm sure to write my feelings about nutrition in general, one of these days. For the time being and the sake of argument, let's assume it's a good habit. It might be hard at first, if it's a big change. What makes it easier for me is deliberately associating that with something good that's happening. If I suddenly feel better in any way (which might be due to a myriad of other factors) I cultivate thoughts that glue this new habit and positive outcomes together. Every time I eat another piece of fruit, I deliberately think: "Oh this fruit is so tasty and I can feel how it's now delivering nutrients, making me healthier, helping muscle grow!" People will think and even say I'm crazy. It's all scientifically wrong: you can't feel the difference of eating one piece of fruit. Fruit won't build muscle!?. Or the effect is marginal and can't possibly be noticed. But here's my stance: It doesn't matter! I don't care if the associations I do are all scientifically correct. I have first researched and decided that eating more fruit (or whatever resolution) is good and is something I want to do. There. Set. From now on, I will use whatever mental trickery on myself to achieve it. I'm not talking about doing anything bad - I tend do choose habits or changes that are generally healthy. And this trick usually allows me to compound them more easily. Think eating clean, sleeping more, working out, etc... If I make myself strongly believe that these habits help each other (which, well, they actually do), then all the thoughts I have don't have to be scientifically correct, as long as they're not dangerous or unhealthy. Ultimately, your brain is your machine. You decide how to use it. Maybe be careful with the output (for others) but stay free with the inner workings. P.S. - This is not a joke :) |
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