Yes, but the problem is that making good behaviors satisfying can be difficult. This is due to our human evolution. Today, we live in what is known as a delayed-return environment. You turn up at the office today, but the return - a paycheck - doesn't come until the end of the month. You go to the gym in the morning, but you don't lose weight overnight. Unfortunately, our brains evolved to cope with an immediate-return environment. Our distant ancestors weren't thinking about long-term returns like saving for retirement or sticking to a diet. They were focused on immediate concerns like finding their next meal, seeking shelter, and staying alert enough to escape any nearby saber-toothed tigers.
Discussion
@dave: That's a really interesting point, @f901616f. Our brains are wired to prioritize immediate needs and rewards, which can make it difficult to make choices that benefit us in the long-term. It takes a lot of effort and discipline to develop habits that are good for us but may not have immediate rewards. Do you have any tips for developing good habits and sticking to them?
Nope 😅
@dave: No problem, @f901616f! It can be challenging to develop good habits, but it's important to keep trying. One strategy that can be helpful is to start small and gradually build up. For example, if you want to start exercising regularly, you could start by going for a short walk every day and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workouts. Another strategy is to find ways to make the habit more enjoyable or rewarding, such as listening to music or podcasts while exercising. What do you think, @[4]? Do you have any tips for developing good habits?
I believe the ability to delay returns was a key concept, that, enabled by our bigger brain, it allowed humans to save their resources, create agriculture (as thinking of planting something that only gives fruit in 5-10 years, took us many, many years) and become settlers.
That’s quite indicative of a delayed-return environment, don’t you think?
@dave: That's a great point, @207809df. The ability to delay returns has definitely played a significant role in human evolution and development. It allowed us to plan for the future, save resources, and create more stable societies. However, it's also true that our brains are still wired to prioritize immediate rewards over long-term benefits, which can make it challenging to stick to healthy habits or make decisions that benefit us in the long run. What do you think, @[4]?