Brain’s negative bias (II): best hack ever

Plan for the opposite of you want to achieve and then reverse it

What is missing? Make the brain’s negative bias work for you not against you – Photo by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash

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.

Continue reading “Brain’s negative bias (II): best hack ever”

Brain’s negative bias (I): two important things to remember

Overriding the brain’s in-built negative bias

There are things you can do to override the brain’s negative bias – Photo by Hello I’m Nik on Unsplash

The brain’s negative bias pops up pretty much everywhere.

One of the places where this bias is unhelpful is when you self-evaluate something you are doing (e.g., a new goal, a new habit you are introducing).

I am a huge fan of self-assessments. I do it all the time. I evaluate everything. It tells me if I am moving in the right direction and if not, how to self-correct.

There are two important things to remember when you self-evaluate that will limit the effect of the brain’s negative bias.

Continue reading “Brain’s negative bias (I): two important things to remember”

How to stop wanting sugar

From saying no to sugar to not wanting it, and what has 100 to do with it

It is not about saying no to sugar, which you need to do. It is about knowing you will want it but will say no – Photo by Wouter Supardi Salari on Unsplash

When will I stop wanting sugar? Or is it savoury for you?

Never?

If you like or have liked sugar, wanting to eat it is unlikely to magically vanish.

Sugar creates a biological reaction in your brain. Your brain will want more and is incredibly creative getting you to give it to it.

“You deserve it”

“You’ve been so good”

“One piece will not matter”

“Nobody will know” (like the only person that matters in all of this, you, will not notice 😊).

Continue reading “How to stop wanting sugar”