We naturally gravitate toward rewarding experiences and the path of least resistance. That combination can work against our longer-term goals. Things that feel good for a second can make our lives worse in the long run. Making room for boredom may help.
Dopamine is a chemical messenger involved in motivation, learning, and reward. It helps us pursue goals, focus, and notice what seems worth doing.
We need this system because hard work is uncomfortable. Nobody likes feeling uncomfortable. A sense of reward can help us persist through that discomfort. Dopamine does that.
Modern products can also capture that reward-seeking tendency. It's possible to get instant gratification without having to do any of the hard work.
https://twitter.com/zaiderrr/status/1203390675821068288
Such easy rewards are everywhere in modern life. They offer quick stimulation with little effort. Many of us spend more time than we intend on activities like these:
- Scrolling social media timelines.
- Receiving social media likes.
- Following news.
- Following politics.
- Watching porn.
- Seeking casual sex.
- Reading text messages.
- Checking email.
- Eating junk food.
- Playing video games.
- Watching Netflix.
- Watching TV.
- Watching sports.
- Listening to music.
- Using drugs.
- Smoking cigarettes.
- Buying new clothes.
- Drinking alcohol.
Too many quick rewards can leave me distracted and less willing to do slower work. That matters because many important goals require sustained effort.
Like working out for better body composition, sleeping more to get fit, cooking your own meals to be healthier, building your own business to be less vulnerable or getting social to improve your relationships. The more I want to do, the more carefully I need to choose where my attention goes.
https://twitter.com/nntaleb/status/1210697748992987136
Boredom can help break this cycle. Without constant stimulation, it becomes easier to return to work that matters.
Therefore, you'll need to abstain from the low value activities that I listed above. For me, deliberately allowing quiet moments frees up attention for work and relationships I value.
I don't think you need to cut out all of them completely. I don't even think that's possible in the modern age. Moderation still matters. Like always, there is no quick fix. You should do it step by step.
I have already reduced many of these activities in my life, one by one. Cutting out something new every two months has turned out to be a good pace for me. The compound effect has made a noticeable difference to my energy, focus, anxiety, and creativity. I plan to keep going at that pace.
You can only spend your time and energy once, so do it wisely.