Though we rationally know that our bad habits are going to cause us long-term pain, it can be easy to give into our urges and triggers in the short-term. At the same time, we are also aware that good habits we want to adopt but aren't will give us so much more lasting pleasure than our bad habits ever could.
So why do we stay stuck in our bad habits?
Consider that human beings are primarily motivated by two things: (1) experiencing pleasure; and (2) avoiding pain.
Within this framework, pain motivates us more in the short-term.
This is why avoiding the short-term discomfort of a new, positive seems more motivating to our brains in the moment than does the pleasures of what those good habits will eventually bring us or even the medium-term sense of self-confidence and efficacy that comes with not giving into our urges.
In order to change our behavior, we must pay attention to what we focus on.
In moments when we want to give into an urge, rather than focusing on the discomfort of resisting the urge, we must feel the pain associated with giving into it. Then. we must bring to mind and feel the pleasure associated with a good habit and the sense of success and empowerment we will feel by practicing those habits instead.
- Pratibha Anand