Plan for the opposite of you want to achieve and then reverse it
We already know about the brain’s negative bias and how it pops up pretty much everywhere.
Last post was about how to compensate for it to avoid focussing exclusively on what is missing.
These were: start with positives first, and use curiosity instead of judgment.
I hope you have been practising them.
Best hack ever: make the brain’s negative bias work for you
I heard this in a podcast. I thought it was so good I had to share it with you.
How does it work?
- Use the brain negative bias to come up with all the things you should do to get the opposite result you want: make an exceedingly thorough list, as long as you can.
- Reverse it and get into action
That is all.
So simple, so good.
You already know that I apply ‘simple’ approaches so that we can concentrate in doing rather than thinking and remembering the process.
It is such a clever approach because it uses what comes natural to us. It removes the initial resistance.
It is a splendid example of making things work for you and not against you.
How can you use it to stop overeating?
I will definitely incorporate it into my ‘Stop overeating’ programme.
One of the things I do with my clients is to list all the obstacles the client can foresee when, for example, going to a party in relation to food and wanting to not overeat. Then the client comes up with strategies to overcome these obstacles.
Let us reverse it.
How can you go to a party and be unsuccessful at following your food plan? I bet you will make this list much quicker.
If you need help, get in touch.
