🌳 The Goldilocks Rule: How To Stay Motivated

QUOTE OF THE DAY

In simple terms, many like to talk the talk but few walk the walk. Actions are what break through the noise because anyone can speak it.

THE GOLDILOCKS RULE: HOW TO STAY MOTIVATED

The human brain loves a challenge, but only if it is within an optimal zone of difficulty. If you love tennis and try to play a serious match against a four-year-old, you will quickly become bored. It’s too easy. You’ll win every point. In contrast, if you play a professional tennis player like Roger Federer or Serena Williams, you will quickly lose motivation because the match is too difficult.

Now consider playing tennis against someone who is your equal. As the game progresses, you win a few points and you lose a few. You have a good chance of winning, but only if you really try. Your focus narrows, distractions fade away, and you find yourself fully invested in the task at hand. This is a challenge of just manageable difficulty and it is a prime example of the Goldilocks Rule.

The Goldilocks Rule states that humans experience peak motivation when working on tasks that are right on the edge of their current abilities. Not too hard. Not too easy. Just right.

So how can you use the Goldilocks rule in your own life? It’s all about increasing bit by bit and not shooting straight for the stars on your first attempt because as amazing as it sounds, the fall is much longer and harder In the end.

Measure your progress

If you want to learn how to stay motivated to reach your goals, then there is a second piece of the motivation puzzle that is crucial to understand. It has to do with achieving that perfect blend of hard work and happiness.

Working on challenges of an optimal level of difficulty has been found to not only be motivating but also

be a major source of happiness. As psychologist Gilbert Brim put it, “One of the important sources of human happiness is working on tasks at a suitable level of difficulty, neither too hard nor too easy.”

This blend of happiness and peak performance is sometimes referred to as flow, which is what athletes and performers experience when they are “in the zone.” Flow is the mental state you experience when you are so focused on the task at hand that the rest of the world fades away.

ACTIONABLE NEXT STEPS:

If we want to break down the mystery of how to stay motivated for the long term, we could simply say:

• Stick to The Goldilocks Rule and work on tasks of just manageable difficulty.

• Measure your progress and receive immediate feedback whenever possible.

TAKEAWAYS:

Wanting to improve your life is easy. Sticking with it is a different story. If you want to stay motivated for good, then start with a challenge that is just manageable, measure your progress, and repeat the process.

BOOK OF THE WEEK ⤵️

The book of the week is ‘The Art of Thinking Clearly’ By Rolf Dobelli. A book that aims to illuminate our day-to-day thinking “hiccups” so that we can better avoid them and start making improved choices. Using both psychological studies and everyday examples. Check it out HERE

CREATOR OF THE WEEK ⤵️

The creator of the week is @filmwithlou, a lifestyle/motivation creator that makes extremely well-edited content all focused on helping you become a better person. He shares lessons in a super creative way that you haven’t seen before! Check him out HERE

LESSON OF THE DAY ⤵️

Always consult your ideal lifestyle before making an important decision.

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