I have a couple of theories about human behavior that I posed to a friend the other day, to answer a couple of perplexing questions.
1. Why do we keep doing the same things over and over, and expect different results? (Einstein's definition of insanity)
Not to suppose I'm brighter than Albert Einstein, but my theory is that it's not insanity. I think it's a phenomenon that happens when we are babies. We cry. We get what we want. We cry again, and get what we want. Later on, we cry, and we don't get what we want...but we continue to cry, and cry, and cry, expecting to get what we want. The idea is that "It worked before, so it's got to work again if I keep at it." I think we keep doing the same things expecting different results because at some time in the past and in some situation, it worked...and we just can't let go of the idea that the same thing can work again. We just have to keep trying, maybe changing some little aspect, or "doing it better next time."
2. Why don't diets work? Why do we keep looking for the perfect way to lose weight and get into good physical condition, yet keep failing?
Many hundreds of ads, articles, and books are written each year about how to lose weight and get into shape. Many hundreds of drugs, supplements, fitness machines, gym memberships, etc. are sold every year in a multi-billion dollar industry. But our problems remain. My theory is that we all know how to lose weight and/or get physically fit. We all know it well, up and down, inside and out, front and back. It's simple. To lose weight, take in less calories than you burn, or conversely, burn more calories than you take in. To get into good physical condition, the answer is equally simple. The calories we do eat need to be from wise choices, and we need to exercise. That's it!
Now, to answer the question: We don't lose weight and get into shape, and diets don't work because we're simply not ready to commit. As soon as we're ready to do it, we'll do it. If we don't decide it's a priority, we'll stay fat and out of shape. End of story.
So the answer to both of these questions really goes back to making a decision and sticking to it. When we decide that what we're doing isn't working, and choose a different path...one we already know is the right solution, our lives will improve. No book, no diet, no fancy equipment, no drugs, or anything else we can by will replace simply making wise choices and deciding to live by them. We may need some help and support, and that's okay. Go out and buy that book, or supplement, or gym membership if it really will help you...but you first have to commit to a specific goal and make it a priority or none of it will help.
After note: "We keep looking for complex solutions to simple problems because we really haven't decided to solve the problem."
1. Why do we keep doing the same things over and over, and expect different results? (Einstein's definition of insanity)
Not to suppose I'm brighter than Albert Einstein, but my theory is that it's not insanity. I think it's a phenomenon that happens when we are babies. We cry. We get what we want. We cry again, and get what we want. Later on, we cry, and we don't get what we want...but we continue to cry, and cry, and cry, expecting to get what we want. The idea is that "It worked before, so it's got to work again if I keep at it." I think we keep doing the same things expecting different results because at some time in the past and in some situation, it worked...and we just can't let go of the idea that the same thing can work again. We just have to keep trying, maybe changing some little aspect, or "doing it better next time."
2. Why don't diets work? Why do we keep looking for the perfect way to lose weight and get into good physical condition, yet keep failing?
Many hundreds of ads, articles, and books are written each year about how to lose weight and get into shape. Many hundreds of drugs, supplements, fitness machines, gym memberships, etc. are sold every year in a multi-billion dollar industry. But our problems remain. My theory is that we all know how to lose weight and/or get physically fit. We all know it well, up and down, inside and out, front and back. It's simple. To lose weight, take in less calories than you burn, or conversely, burn more calories than you take in. To get into good physical condition, the answer is equally simple. The calories we do eat need to be from wise choices, and we need to exercise. That's it!
Now, to answer the question: We don't lose weight and get into shape, and diets don't work because we're simply not ready to commit. As soon as we're ready to do it, we'll do it. If we don't decide it's a priority, we'll stay fat and out of shape. End of story.
So the answer to both of these questions really goes back to making a decision and sticking to it. When we decide that what we're doing isn't working, and choose a different path...one we already know is the right solution, our lives will improve. No book, no diet, no fancy equipment, no drugs, or anything else we can by will replace simply making wise choices and deciding to live by them. We may need some help and support, and that's okay. Go out and buy that book, or supplement, or gym membership if it really will help you...but you first have to commit to a specific goal and make it a priority or none of it will help.
After note: "We keep looking for complex solutions to simple problems because we really haven't decided to solve the problem."
