Self control (2)

Out of control?

It is each one’s own brain in that skull in their own head. None but us are obligated to take charge of it. Man may conduct experiments in animals but the motive is to predict responses in himself. Change (for the better) is a challenge. We can’t change how the world thinks and behaves; but we most definitely are monarchs of our own intellect. One only has to make the wiser choice for a sager outcome.

Changing cues

Outcome focus

Nullification

Token economy

Remembrance

Overcooking

Loss identification

Changing cues

Man is the superlative manipulator. If he optimizes his scheming ability he can transform his own behavior by altering the situation to his advantage (which he often shrewdly does); but there are no devious intents here. If controlling a temptation seems hard, the best bet would be to prevent the enticement in the first place.

• Removing study distractions
• Hiding the high calorie food
• Buying one cigarette at a time
• Not keeping alcohol at home

The self cannot fool the self or accept change unwillingly. However in a highly susceptible social world by changing your environment, you modify yourself too. If you change the cues, they cease to be constant reminders.

Outcome focus

The light at the end of the tunnel has tremendous power; it motivates to crawl the way through the darkness with reinvented zest. Likewise the ditch at the end of the coaxing road ought to prevent one from treading on it. If focus stays on the harmful impact of feeding the temptation, one would rarely tread the path where one may:

• Smoke after being fully aware of cancer
• Drink away knowing about liver damage
• Not study, being aware that one will fail
• Get upset though it destroys relationships

When the mind is aware of that ditch, one can step away way before getting into it. Most goals are set with good outcomes, keep it that way.

Nullification

A problem is as big as it is perceived in the mind. When goodness associated with an action is annulled, there’s little reason to perform the act. All temptations are not sinful; every desire needn’t be quashed. However the perception of the same can be altered to mend the attractiveness.

• I don't have to smoke; the feeling is no big deal
• Drinking isn’t the only way to have a good time
• I see no need to indulge in desserts and sweets
• My anger isn’t going to make her love me more

With a change of imagined outcome, the emotional stimulus is removed, thus the response now gets altered for the better. Control now seems easier to achieve.

Token economy

We all work for personal profit (besides charity of course which is fair). Each one chooses beneficial outcomes at the outset for oneself; however one may drift from the path and select faulty lifestyles along the way when impulsivity gets the better of them. Token economy was initially used with children to allow them to gather points (tokens) for resisting temptation and a nice reward at the end of collection of tokens.

• I’ll keep count of the days I could resist dessert this week
• I will smoke one cigarette every hour instead of half hour
• I will indulge a new outfit after I lose 5 pounds this month
• I will refrain from getting irritated at work no matter what

The reward at the end of token accumulation (a count of days without sinful food or cigarettes, or the sum of lost pounds or non aggressive days) can be anything pleasurable but not the refrained object itself. The ability to have control over impulses is itself a reward an insight into ones own strength.