Hacking Habits Via Visualization [Neurobiology]
Visualize the specific sequence of steps from start to finish required to perform a desired habit.
This simple and powerful grit tip comes from Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and associate professor in the Department of Neurobiology at the Stanford University School of Medicine. The scientific literature on this technique is "robust", says Huberman. "Just one mental exercise of thinking through the sequence of steps from start to finish can shift the likelihood of success from unlikely or moderately likely to very likely over time."
This visualization technique pulls on processes involving our hippocampus, neocortex, and other areas of our brain and nervous system that engage in procedural memory. That's important because it shifts our mindset – or more accurately our "neural circuit set" – which helps override anxiety or lack of motivation.
Lex Fridman, a computer scientist, AI researcher, and podcast host, utilizes this visualization technique as part of his morning routine. He mentally walks through each task for the day, what it will look like, and what it will feel like to work through the challenge and accomplish his goal.
To test this method for myself, I choose a simple, procedural habit that I've been slacking on recently: $1-a-day. This is a marketing tip from Gary V where you comment your "two cents" on people's social media posts in order to boost engagement with your page & products. Posting on social media is not exactly my favorite thing to do, but because I believe in this mission to grow a grittier world, I think it's wise to work to get the message out.
Five days later, my habit tracker shows clear improvement. I visualize sitting at my computer with a cup of coffee and background tunes, setting a timer for 22 minutes, and pumping out positivity in tweet form.
You can create your own GritGrow habit tracker by joining our community today! Then put this habit visualizing method to work to grow your grit and bring your vision to life.
—gritgrow
Aug 1, 2022
Sign in to root on this post.