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Negative Visualization Is the Antidote to Hedonic Adaptation
Our Happiness Formula Is Wrong
We have, since the beginning, a wrong formula implanted in our minds about the pursuit of happiness. We think if we do amazing work, attain big success, then we will be happy eventually.
The reality is that new goals are constantly on the horizon, and our so-called happiness keeps getting pushed further and further away. This leads to a feeling of emptiness, not happiness or contentment when a goal is fulfilled.
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Key Ideas
Hedonic adaptation
It explains our tendency as human beings to chase happiness, only to return back to our original emotional baseline after getting what we want.
We run on a hedonic treadmill...
Tal Ben-Shahar
"Attaining lasting happiness requires that we enjoy the journey on our way toward a destination we deem valuable. Happiness is not about making it to the peak of the mountain nor is it about climbing aimlessly around the mountain; happiness is the experience of climbing toward the peak."
Cultivate More Happiness
- Find your right fit or match, both personally and professionally.
- Appreciating life’s small moments.
- Smile more, even if you don’t feel like it.
- Perform random acts of kindness.
- Spend money on experiences versus things.
- Avoid comparisons.
- Build and maintain close relationships.
- Make little changes in your daily routine: getting more sleep, exercising, getting out into nature, and meditating.
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Key Ideas
Hedonic Adaptation
... also referred to as hedonic treadmill, is defined as "the observed tendency of humans to quickly return to a relatively stable level of happiness despite major positive or negative events or...
Elements of Hedonic Adaptation
- Shifting adaptation levels: When an individual experiences a slight emotional up or down, and then returns to his or her default level of happiness.
- Desensitization: When an individual becomes desensitized to a circumstance or situation they no longer have the same reactions that another person might experience.
- Sensitization: When an individual is sensitized to a certain situation, they get used to something that they were not previously accustomed to.
Hedonic Adaptation Critics
Critics view the hedonic adaptation tendency as a generalization that fails to take potentially shifting factors into account.
- Significant life events such as loss of employment or the end of a major relationship can change one's original level of contentment.
- Negative events are often more significant than positive ones.
- Consuming certain medication may also alter the set level of happiness in a person who has mental illness or other clinical problems.
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Key Ideas
We All Tend To Make The Same Mental Mistakes
Economists used to believe that people will always choose the option that maximizes their well-being. But people act against their rational self-interest all the time.
We p...
The Mere Urgency Effect
This bias addresses why we do unimportant tasks we think are time-sensitive over tasks that are not time-sensitive, even if the non-time-sensitive tasks provide greater rewards.
How to overcome this bias:
- Use the Eisenhower Matrix. It will reveal the urgent/not urgent and important/not important tasks.
- Block off on your calendar the most productive 2-4 hours each day for your most important work.
- Only answer emails at specific times. Don't allow email to bleed into other time.
- Give your important tasks a deadline and find a way to commit to it.
The Zeigarnik Effect
This effect describes our tendency to remember incomplete or interrupted tasks better than completed tasks. Each unfinished task takes up some of your attention, splitting your focus. It also interferes with your sleep.
What you can do about it:
- Write your tasks down as soon as they come to you.
- Have a system in place for organizing and regularly reviewing your tasks.
- Have an end of work shutdown ritual, so your unfinished tasks don't stay in your mind after-hours.
- Take a small step to help you get started. The act of starting can help you keep going to the end.
- Don't forget to review your completed tasks and celebrate what you've already accomplished.