Frequently, when I’m working out a hard problem, my brain takes me somewhere else. I usually end up researching arcane knowledge buried in deep corners of the internet. Why is it that even though I know it is more important and better to do the hard work, my own brain overrides me?
Both Charles Duhigg and James Clear talk about the science behind this. My brain thinks it is is doing me a favor. It avoids the discomfort of real work with a quick and easy dopamine fix.
My conscious brain obviously understands what is going on. I’ve written multiple blog posts about this. Yet, knowledge doesn’t change the wiring. I was lucky enough to hear John Medina (Brain Rules) talk once in Seattle. He argues we can retrain our brains with sugar. The sugar causes its own little burst of dopamine. Our brain then associates staying on track with an immediate positive outcome. What he doesn’t say is that we can change the underlying apparatus of our brains doing whatever they can to help us feel good. That appears hard wired.
Reprogramming my brain
So here it is my declaration. I’m putting this out there for the world and promise to report back in a few months with an update:
When I’m doing hard work and I notice a craving for an easy distraction (web browsing/social media/etc), instead, on days that I have energy, I’ll do a short burst of exercise or, on days that I don’t have energy, I’ll give myself a small chocolate. Importantly, I’ll then get right back to the hard work.
If my understanding of Medina’s theory is correct, I won’t need to do this for ever. My brain will recognize that staying on task is a reward. I will remain a dopamine addict, but I hope I can choose my distributor.
Thanks to Amit Lahav for the jellybean photo.