Psychology of Doing - Don't Disappoint Yourself

No one is ever naturally "in the mood" to scrub a floor or tackle a spreadsheet. By waiting for the mood, we give our emotions a vote they shouldn't have.

I've learned recently there are two interconnected sections of your brain that control our behavior. The Limbic System (the emotional, "I want it now" part of the brain) and the Prefrontal Cortex (the logical, planning part). We need to move our decision-making from the Limbic System to the Prefrontal Cortex System. Feelings don't make decisions.

Have you ever let yourself down? Should I ask instead how many times have you let yourself down? Or should I ask how many times daily do you let yourself down? It's true, we are our own worst critic. There is a psychology to Doing.

The Danger of "Social Reality"

Don't discuss your plans with others because it produces a sort of Social Reality that is not real at all. When you talk about your plans with others before doing them, it tricks yourself psychologically into a false sense of reality that that allows you to feel the task is completed. This is backed by research (by Peter Gollwitzer) called Identity Goals.

• When you tell someone, "I’m going to run a marathon," and they say, "That’s amazing! You’re so disciplined!" your brain receives a premature hit of dopamine.

• It feels the "win" of being a runner without having taken a single step.

• By keeping it quiet, you maintain the "tension" required to actually do the work. It's called the psychology of doing.

Building Self-Trust

We often talk about trusting others, but we rarely talk about trusting ourselves.

• Every time you say you’ll do something and then don’t, you lose a "point" in your internal bank.

• Discipline is simply the act of keeping promises to yourself. As those promises are kept, your self-worth rises because you finally have a reliable partner in yourself.

You can't criticize yourself when you are looking at a finished project; the physical evidence of your discipline silences the inner critic.

On that note, don't disappoint yourself by NOT making these rich (low-carb) brownies.

They're even better the next day!

Ingredients

3/4 c butter, salted

2/3 c sugar free choc chips, divided

2/3 c sweetener, i use powdered stevia

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 c almond flour

3/4 tsp baking powder

3 lg eggs

Directions

STEP 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray or butter the bottom only of a 7x11" pan, or a

similar size.

STEP 2

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter, half of the chocolate chips, and Stevia for

approximately 2 minutes, just until melted. Stirring halfway through.

STEP 3

Add the vanilla, cocoa powder, almond flour, and baking powder. Stir to combine well.

STEP 4

Stir in eggs and then the remaining chocolate chips.

STEP 5

Pour into prepared dish and bake 14-17 minutes, JUST until set. Cool and cut into 18