deepstash
Beta
Why Self-Discipline is so Hard
Dopamine and rewards
149 SAVES
This is a professional note extracted from an online article.
Read more efficiently
Save what inspires you
Remember anything
IDEA EXTRACTED FROM:
9
Key Ideas
The virtue of self-control
Defining self-discipline
We associate this process with some sort of "will" or "willpower", though what these really mean is not that obvious.
Making decisions
The difficulty thus lies in delaying gratification.
Behind decision-making
But the most immediate cause of any of our actions can be traced back to our brain activity.
The role of dopamine
Some specific cues found in our environment hint to a potential reward and dopamine starts to raise anticipation. So dopamine is the one responsible to make us take action towards a specific goal.
Self-discipline and habits
To change a habit, both we and the environment have to change, and that's why self-discipline is so hard.
The role of education
An individual can be changed through education.
We have so little control over the biology that determines our desires. But the part of our biology that is more malleable is our brain.
The product of our environment
By acknowledging this, we can start finding alternative opportunities for learning and for satisfying our needs.
SIMILAR ARTICLES & IDEAS:
7
Key Ideas
First Principles
First Principles: Not A New Idea
Thinking from first principles is not a new idea. It's actually the single most consistent factor among great thinkers.
For example, Aristotle believed that you could not possess true knowledge without first understanding the first principles. He thought that everything could be divided into categories and sub-categories (the smallest of them being the equivalent for first principles).
Reason And Experience
An empiricist is a person that believed all true knowledge is based and obtained through experience.
The process of seeking knowledge through experience and making use of reason to give it structure it how we can find the first principles of a subject.
4 more ideas
5
Key Ideas
Self-Reliance
It's "a reliance on internal resources to provide life with coherence (meaning) and fulfillment” (Baumeister, 1987: 171)."
Ralph Waldo Emerson and Self-Reliance
Self-Reliance is the topic (and title) of an 1841 essay from US philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson.
He argues strongly that self-reliance, self-trust, and individualism, amongst other things, are ways that we can avoid the conformity imposed upon us.
Examples of Self-Reliance
- Thinking independently: The ability to think autonomously goes hand in hand with trusting your own instinct.
- Embracing your individuality.
- Striving towards your own goals, bravely.
It’s important to remember that self-reliance is not about cutting yourself off from everybody.
2 more ideas
9
Key Ideas
Self-control
It’s your ability to resolve conflicts between your short-term desires and your long-term goals.
For example, successful self-control means sacrificing immediate pleasure (cookies a...
Why self-control matters
People who have high self-control aren’t missing out on enjoyment. Not being able to resist temptation and enjoying life are not the same things.
They tend to eat in a healthily way, exercise more, sleep better, drink less alcohol, smoke fewer cigarettes, achieve higher grades at university, have more peaceful relationships, and are more financially secure.
Biological limits to self-control
Research showed that self-control is ultimately limited by our biology. We can’t exercise effortful self-control indefinitely – the brain has to do regular maintenance to remain functional.
6 more ideas