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It can be difficult to recognize when you’re making poor decisions. In fact, bad decisions often feel like good decisions when you’re making them. As a result, you can easily get stuck in a pattern of repeating the same mistakes.
In this week’s deep dive, I want to help you break the cycle of consistently making bad decisions.
If you like this week’s deep dive, my full-length video and article go even deeper.
The following two reasons explain why you might be making poor decisions.
Your brain has a built-in reward system that helps you survive. Every time you do something that increases your odds of survival, this system releases chemicals that produce feelings of pleasure. As a result, you feel motivated to repeat those behaviors.
However, there’s a problem. Your reward system developed through millions of years of evolution. For much of that time, our ancestor’s biggest challenge was staying alive.
For this reason, the reward system in your brain prefers behaviors that increase your odds of short-term survival. This explains why eating high-calorie food is so enjoyable. If you didn’t know when you’d find your next meal, it made sense to overeat every time you could.
But, times have changed. For many of us, food exists in abundance, and daily survival is no longer our primary concern.
Because of this, many behaviors that offer short-term rewards have become harmful when repeated consistently. For example, consider the consequences of overeating every day.
Sometimes good decisions cause short-term pain. For example, if you quit your job at an unethical company, you must deal with the consequences of unemployment.
Or, assume you’re lonely and you’ve been asked on a second date by someone who isn’t a great fit. Even though it’s wise to say no, doing so means you’ll remain lonely.
When the right decision leads to short-term pain, it’s easy to make the wrong decision. People who fall into this trap forget to think long-term.
For instance, going on a second date will solve the short-term problem of feeling lonely. But, getting into a relationship with the wrong person will cause far greater long-term problems.
The following idea can help you make better decisions.
We all love to feel good, but as you’ve seen, chasing short-term highs can lead to long-term problems. To prevent this issue, ask yourself a simple question. What will my future look like if I make or continue making this decision?
If you don’t like the answer to that question, it’s time to rethink what you’re doing.
Check out my full-length video and article on loneliness.
DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the information presented in this email is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The creator of this email is not a licensed financial advisor and any decisions made based on this information are at your own risk. It’s important to consult with a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions, as this information does not consider individual investment goals, risk preferences, or financial situations. Please remember that past performance does not guarantee future results, and all investments involve risk, including the potential loss of your initial investment.
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