i've made use of this kind of idea elsewhere in my life - like instead of trying to remember to take something with me when going out the next day, i'll put it with the things i normally grab. less a willpower example and more a memory thing but it's a similar factor of relying on an external factor that's easier to control (environment) than your internal factor you're fighting with (memory)
another example related to willpower is, instead of fighting the urge to eat those little debbie zebra cakes, maybe just don't buy them at the store. if they're not at your house, there's more friction to satisfy the urge
unfortunately i have had less than stellar results applying this principle with my phone/computer
Fully agree! I have seen some of these videos myself and I get what you mean (no, my feed is *not* entirely self-help), and frankly the cycle can produce guilt like no other. A deep, personalized guilt. If I wasn't too lazy, I would also comment on the cycle you mentioned but other than that this is an actually important essay detailing something actually real. Bravo, Luca.
I find it’s almost like an addiction the only way I ever really break the cycle - if only briefly - is when it gets bad enough that I get so angry/frustrated at using my phone that I feel like I’m trying to get rid of it. Feels like the Ring in Lord of the Rings.
i've made use of this kind of idea elsewhere in my life - like instead of trying to remember to take something with me when going out the next day, i'll put it with the things i normally grab. less a willpower example and more a memory thing but it's a similar factor of relying on an external factor that's easier to control (environment) than your internal factor you're fighting with (memory)
another example related to willpower is, instead of fighting the urge to eat those little debbie zebra cakes, maybe just don't buy them at the store. if they're not at your house, there's more friction to satisfy the urge
unfortunately i have had less than stellar results applying this principle with my phone/computer
Great essay luca!
Fully agree! I have seen some of these videos myself and I get what you mean (no, my feed is *not* entirely self-help), and frankly the cycle can produce guilt like no other. A deep, personalized guilt. If I wasn't too lazy, I would also comment on the cycle you mentioned but other than that this is an actually important essay detailing something actually real. Bravo, Luca.
Thank you for reading!
I find it’s almost like an addiction the only way I ever really break the cycle - if only briefly - is when it gets bad enough that I get so angry/frustrated at using my phone that I feel like I’m trying to get rid of it. Feels like the Ring in Lord of the Rings.