If you know me, you know that I used to be (read: am) all for quick hacks. I don't think there's anything wrong with tricking your brain into thinking something you want it to believe. I've used tricks to bring about all kinds of change in my psyche, and it's always fun and, most of the time, even successful in making the change I was looking for. I mean, if you really want something, no method is too cheap or easy, right?
While developing a cue to build a habit can take time and require you to actively thinking about doing the cue several times before it comes automatically, one cheap trick creates a change in your brain instantaneously, and you can reap the benefits right away and for a long time. The cheap trick to change your psyche and motivate a set of new life routines is to get a haircut. Depending on your starting point, it might only take a couple of minutes to do, and ta-da, you look in the mirror and see a whole new person - one capable of conquering the world. (Bonus points if you get a good haircut.)
The person you see in the mirror seems better and more capable than the person that your psyche, up to this point, has believed you to be.
Suddenly, you look like the version of you that you think can do all those things you want to do. He looks athletic and smart and confident, and because you know it's you, your psyche will interpret it as you yourself being athletic and smart and confident (or whatever positive adjectives you wish on yourself). And you can't help but start acting exactly like that. And then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The power of cheap tricks!
RK
