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EC 40: The 5 Minute Willpower Game
How can we move through really challenging situations with food? Willpower never seems to work. Enter stage left 5 Minute Willpower, its much more approachable and user-friendly cousin. Let's talk about how to apply the principles of game playing to reclaiming your life from food. *Stupid Idea of The Week*...yes it is the return of SIOTW - courtesy of my local hospital. *Main section*
Two examples of people caught in really difficult situations who gamified them in order to survive. What are the commonalities of turning a challenge into a game - the things that make it easier?
One example is distraction. Here is a short extract from the accompanying 5 Minute Willpower Game PDF which you can get at http://www.theshiftinside.com/willpower/
A Distraction Thought ExperimentImagine you are standing in the supermarket aisle, transfixed by junk. There is an intense battle raging in your mind:
Have it.
No, walk away.
I said: Just take it.
No, stop. I appear at your side.
“If you turn to your left and look down to the tills you will see a very nice lady holding an envelope. In it are two tickets to the destination of your choice and as much spending money as you need. I have also arranged two weeks off work for you. This dream holiday can be yours if you walk away from the junk right now.” Could you walk away from the junk in that situation?
Of course you could. Because the distraction is so powerful. Now, you don’t need a two-week holiday to lure you away from the junk every time you get a craving. That was a thought experiment with one aim…to get you to answer the following question:
When you give in to your junk food cravings, is it (a) because you just cannot fight them i.e. inability to do what they know is the right thing - or is it (b) a choice?
If you chose the holiday over the junk, then your only answer is (b). (Compare this to asking someone with a broken leg why they have not entered a marathon. Their answer is going to be (a) - inability to run)
Now I know that the choice is not easy. But this distinction - choice over ability - gives you your power back. You can now make different choices. And I am going to help you overcome your very natural feelings of resistance.
RESOURCES
Play the The 5 Minute Willpower Game at http://www.theshiftinside.com/willpower/
Episode 29 on willpower: http://www.theshiftinside.com/audio-better-than-willpower-ec29/
Jane McGonigal's TED talk:
https://www.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_the_game_that_can_give_you_10_extra_years_of_life
Touching The Void trailer:
https://youtu.be/jtnqVZEktyg
Join the private Eating Coach Discussion Group at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1594950873896541/
Find out more about coaching at http://www.theshiftinside.com/coaching/
Ask a question at:
http://www.theshiftinside.com/podcast/
Get your free audiobook at:
http://www.audibletrial.com/EatingCoach
Sound effects by https://www.zapsplat.com
View all episodes
By Harriet Morris, Eating Psychology Coach
4.9
3232 ratings
How can we move through really challenging situations with food? Willpower never seems to work. Enter stage left 5 Minute Willpower, its much more approachable and user-friendly cousin. Let's talk about how to apply the principles of game playing to reclaiming your life from food. *Stupid Idea of The Week*...yes it is the return of SIOTW - courtesy of my local hospital. *Main section*
Two examples of people caught in really difficult situations who gamified them in order to survive. What are the commonalities of turning a challenge into a game - the things that make it easier?
One example is distraction. Here is a short extract from the accompanying 5 Minute Willpower Game PDF which you can get at http://www.theshiftinside.com/willpower/
A Distraction Thought ExperimentImagine you are standing in the supermarket aisle, transfixed by junk. There is an intense battle raging in your mind:
Have it.
No, walk away.
I said: Just take it.
No, stop. I appear at your side.
“If you turn to your left and look down to the tills you will see a very nice lady holding an envelope. In it are two tickets to the destination of your choice and as much spending money as you need. I have also arranged two weeks off work for you. This dream holiday can be yours if you walk away from the junk right now.” Could you walk away from the junk in that situation?
Of course you could. Because the distraction is so powerful. Now, you don’t need a two-week holiday to lure you away from the junk every time you get a craving. That was a thought experiment with one aim…to get you to answer the following question:
When you give in to your junk food cravings, is it (a) because you just cannot fight them i.e. inability to do what they know is the right thing - or is it (b) a choice?
If you chose the holiday over the junk, then your only answer is (b). (Compare this to asking someone with a broken leg why they have not entered a marathon. Their answer is going to be (a) - inability to run)
Now I know that the choice is not easy. But this distinction - choice over ability - gives you your power back. You can now make different choices. And I am going to help you overcome your very natural feelings of resistance.
RESOURCES
Play the The 5 Minute Willpower Game at http://www.theshiftinside.com/willpower/
Episode 29 on willpower: http://www.theshiftinside.com/audio-better-than-willpower-ec29/
Jane McGonigal's TED talk:
https://www.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_the_game_that_can_give_you_10_extra_years_of_life
Touching The Void trailer:
https://youtu.be/jtnqVZEktyg
Join the private Eating Coach Discussion Group at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1594950873896541/
Find out more about coaching at http://www.theshiftinside.com/coaching/
Ask a question at:
http://www.theshiftinside.com/podcast/
Get your free audiobook at:
http://www.audibletrial.com/EatingCoach
Sound effects by https://www.zapsplat.com