Re:Study Identifies Effective Mental Strategies for Aversive...
by jpfed on Friday January 18, 2019 @03:25PM
(#18942705)
Similarly, if you want to give up e.g. soda, don't say "I can't drink soda". That's just some arbitrary restriction imposed on you. Instead, say "I don't drink soda". That's part of who you are now- you're a person that doesn't drink soda.
Re:Study Identifies Effective Mental Strategies for Aversive...
by jzylstra on Friday January 18, 2019 @03:54PM
(#18942970)
I am not sure if you are much interested in philosophy but I came across an introductory lecture given outside of an academic context which introduced me to the Japanese term jikaku, which can translate as self-awareness but can also be used to refer to an element of identity in adopting a role.[0]
So in your given example, another way of referring to what you are doing is to say that you are adopting the jikaku of an athlete. In a sense, adopting the role of athlete is more effective because it is ascribing both an outer and inner identity element to yourself.
Perhaps you will be curious. I found it to be an interesting overlap with what you've discovered on your own.
The most effective strategy I have come across is to "change your identity". If you identify as an athlete, and you talk to yourself and others with that expectation, then that is much more effective than "I need to get in better shape".
When you identify with something it compels your actions, almost by default, much more than willpower alone.