How to train your brain to do hard things and actually like it, from a Stanford psychiatrist
As people increasingly get used to having everything at their fingertips, they don't tend to like embracing difficult challenges, says psychiatrist Anna Lembke.
TL;DR
- Modern convenience has led to an increased dislike for effortful activities.
- Planning activities in advance, even the day before, makes engagement more likely.
- Preparation helps prioritize long-term desires over short-term impulses.
- Accountability buddies or groups can significantly improve goal achievement.
- Connecting difficult tasks with social interaction makes them easier to undertake.
- Overcoming initial discomfort in pursuing a goal leads to a longer-lasting dopamine boost.
- Self-compassion and a goal of moderation are more effective than setting unattainable goals.