05/07/2024
Today started off tough with my son's vaccine appointment. We all know that doctor visits with kids can be quite stressful!
When we face stressful situations, our brainâs amygdala kicks in, making us feel more anxious and reactive. Once the stressful moment is over, the prefrontal cortex, which helps with rational thinking and decision-making, starts to take control. This shift can bring a sense of relief, but it also triggers a desire to reward ourselves as a way to soothe our minds.
After we got home, I felt a huge relief, like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Immediately, I craved a reward. My brain was telling me, "Let's eat something heavy and gluten-rich!" or "Take the rest of the day off, itâs Friday after all." This happens because the brainâs reward system releases dopamine when we anticipate or receive rewards, causing strong cravings.
But I decided to wait for 15 minutes before making any decisions. This gave my brain time to move from emotional to rational thinking. This âcooling-off periodâ helped me see things more clearly.
I asked myself: Is it really worth indulging now? Will it make me feel better in the long run? Probably not. Immediate rewards can provide a quick dopamine boost, but the satisfaction is often short-lived and can lead to regret if it goes against our long-term goals.
So, I stuck to my plan: continued with my outreach, follow-ups, networking, working out, and managing two businesses alongside my wife.
Staying focused on my goals reminded me that success comes from consistent actions, not momentary indulgences.