[Text] The False Hope Syndrome

Hello fellow Redditors,

I wanted to mention a phenomenon called "false hope syndrome" and I wanted to hear your thoughts on this. You have most likely experienced it. Probably by becoming more aware of what is happening it might get easier to avoid this trap next time. It helped me.

Basically, “false hope syndrome" is deciding to change because it feels good, but not because you are determined to actually change.

You know, you have decided to start a diet, to read more, or to start exercising. You imagine the new you; you fantasize how people will look at you. Everything will be different; everything will be great. This fantasy gives you a new hope. It FEELS good. The bigger the goal, the transformation, the better you feel.

Truth is the decision to change is the ultimate in instant gratification - you get all the good feelings before anything’s been done.

When you face the first challenges and setbacks, the initial rush of dopamine now is replaced with frustration and probably guilt. You know, you have to exert your self-control, you have to put in an effort. This is the point where most will give up. Probably to start this cycle again.

The problem here is that people prepare for fun and games when there is actual hard work to do. Changing something in your life is no easy thing to do.

But if you go in prepared and know that the honeymoon phase will end and actual work will have to be put in, I think you are much better prepared.

We need to focus on how we can change our actual behaviors, how to make a real change instead of how to change just how excited we are.

The feeling good from fantasizing is a drug in itself. I know that I was on it for some time, but then I looked critically at what actually has changed, and there was almost nothing on that list, instead of fantasies of greatness.

P.S. This got me thinking a bit more. I think this is one of the best selling drugs out there. All the sports equipment, cooking equipment, photo cameras, online courses, just anything that is bought but never used - are all bought on the impulse of better me fantasy.

Submitted December 30, 2017 at 10:15PM by MartinSpartanX http://ift.tt/2CeZw5i