The easy way to do things… is not always the best.
Like water and electricity, humans naturally seek the path of least resistance. We are wired to conserve energy wherever possible (and this includes having to think). Unfortunately this can be a recipe for disaster in the long term.
People, generally, don’t like change. Change brings uncertainty, which threatens security and incites fear. The prehistoric parts of our minds are not geared towards accepting change easily.
When people want to change for the better, their intentions are generally good. Motivation often runs high at first, like it does for new year’s resolutions.
Knowledge isn’t power. Rather, it is the only part of the equation.
Too many people (especially smart ones) run around accumulating knowledge. This can often be the solution for tasks like how to use certain functions on your new mobile phone or how to fix a computer problem.
Comfort zones are important – they let us know when things are safe, comfortable and predictable. This aspect of our psychology was especially important in the times of our distant ancestors – not staying safe could mean being injured or killed.
These days, the same level of danger doesn’t exist, yet the same circuity in your brain tells us to seek safety, comfort and predictability. It is the same circuitry that will work against you as you strive towards your new year’s resolutions (if you decided on some, that is).
New year’s resolutions are great – they get people to think about how they want to make positive changes in their lives. And most people start out fine, with good intentions and motivation to get them going.
The critical part that many people often miss, though, is when their minds and/or bodies start rejecting a new regime. People often don’t notice the little excuses and lies that the mind and body can throw at them, which ultimately lead to the downfall of our new, well-intended resolutions.