One statement, and one interesting thought

2 minute read

A few smatterings of intrigue from Outsmarting Your Brain by Daniel T. Willingham

One statement: “Do not rely on willpower, if you can change the environment instead.”

The inaction of putting this statement into practice is procrastination at its finest. Our brains are quite good at getting us to sidestep this statement.

“I don’t need a personal trainer. I just go to the gym on my own time.” Yeah right.

“I’m going to quit sugar for a month.” Not without throwing those donuts away.

“I’ll only go on TikTok after work hours.” lol.

Don’t let your brain trick you. Hire the trainer, throw the donuts away, and delete TikTok or set time restrictions. Make the decision now so you save yourself in the future. Do not rely on willpower, if you can change the environment instead. Period. Save your willpower for the decisions that matter.

One interesting thought: “Memory is thought residue.”

If you want to remember something better, create more residue. I realize this is an odd analogy, howbeit, at an interesting one. 😎