One reason resolutions fail
I want to share a perspective I read by Scott Oldford on why we sometimes stop working towards the things we want. For example, we have an image in our head of how we'll look two stone lighter, but just can't stick to the diet plan. Or view ourselves as a successful MD, but don't put in the work needed to achieve it.
We're just not progressing as we intended.
Instead of playing the long term game, investing in a professional qualification, networking or hitting the gym, we make short term decisions to watch TV or go for drinks with our friends. We know the actions we need to take and repeat to get the outcome we want, and yet we don't take them.
Why do we go for short term gratification when we know it’s not going to help with the longer term goal?
Scott suggests that it's because we don't have a compelling relationship with our future selves.
It's almost like our future self is a separate person. We think why should we take some pain now to make this future person successful? If we were fully connected to that future sense of self, surely we'd always do the 'right' thing.
Our brains are programmed for short term safety and seek to take care of short term needs first. So what's the solution to getting our brains on side for the longer term? Build a closer relationship with our future self.
I find it an interesting perspective. So here's my take on practical ways to achieve this:
- Write down how short term desires will impact long term goals, BEFORE giving in to the short term decision
- Visualise your future self - what do you look like, how do you feel, what are you seeing, hearing around you. What does the future you think and say
- Accountability - tell someone your long term goal. We're tribal and we don't want to be embarrassed.
I hope that's got your brain whirring and that your 2020 commitments are progressing well.
P.S. We want a mix of short term fun and long term wins through regular progress. This is an interesting perspective on how to create that long term motivation.
