We decide by emotion and justify it with logic.
Another excerpt from the book I am reading: Forget Selling.
The Halo Effect reflects how we resist any disruption to our image or original belief system. Celebrities such as OJ Simpson may receive favorable judgments due to people's stubborn loyalty to their idols and heroes. President Bill Clinton's polls actually had shown an increase in support when the truth about his affair and perjury became known. No one dared to openly discuss President John Kennedy's mistress, Marilyn Monroe, until after his and Jackie's deaths. We all had to let go of Camelot before we could face reality's heartbreaking disappointments. Princess Diana is another icon of how we remain steadfast to our ideals that may have been instilled by our favorite fairy tale. Perhaps Snow White ought to get a cut from the profits of computer dating services that benefit greatly from people's loyalty to the myth that a kiss from the magic prince or princess shall suddenly bestow happiness upon us.
We decide by emotion and justify it with logic. Our defense mechanisms play an active role in helping us to maintain a sense of sanity in our sometime insane decisions so that we can feel good about our choices. For example, if we pick the wrong stocks or buy real estate at the wrong time, we often remain loyal to our demise rather than cut our losses. This instinctual drive for constancy and consistency with our past decisions quietly, but powerfully, directs our behavior and the behavior of others and thus is a powerful tool for influence and persuasion.
It is amazing how many of my classmates are returning to their roots as they begin to retire. I grew up in a small fishing village in rural Wisconsin and although we had a bumper crop of kids who have planted seeds of success all over the country, most are coming back home to their real roots. Not surprisingly, 70 percent of people remain in the same religion they were raised in as children despite living in a world of continual change. Behavior is not that difficult to predict if we simply observe patterns that are continually repeated. Unfortunately, it is also why so many smokers, alcoholics, gamblers, and criminals return to their paths of the past. Prevention is always easier than the cure. Establishing strong, positive behaviors at an early age is crucial.
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What is interesting for me is the 70% statistic. So 7/10 people, whoever they are, stay in the religion they grew up in.... hmmmm interesting. That just gives me a new amazement to those who actually do change faith backgrounds. I would like to speak to more of them. Did you change faiths? What reasons or experiences made you change? Have you not changed? Why do you still believe what you believe?
Share on FacebookDiscipline is remembering what you want
I heard a great quote and I will say it again: Discipline is remembering what you want.
It is really easy to satisfy your immediate craving whether that is the cookie right in front of you or the shoes from Nordstroms as you are trying to walk out. This life is inundated with situations, where you have to make a decision to be disciplined or not. So here are just some areas of life where this arises:
Health:
- Remembering what I want: A healthy, fit, lean body.
- For me, baked goods and ice cream are my downfall, my sweet surrender. I dont drink pop and rarely eat chips but a good cookie or a good pie really tempt me. For others it may be candy, and for others chocolate. I am all for a balanced diet and treats are definitely a part of that. Why am I so big on health? Well one of my goals is to live to 100. But now that I have been both overweight and in shape, I have SOO much more natural energy sometimes I don’t know what to do with it. Do I enjoy that delicious reuben? Those deep friend garlic fries? The scoops and scoops of ice cream on a hot fudge sundae? OF COURSE I DO! The taste and feeling of fullness is enjoyable and pleasurable. Obviously, you enjoy yourself at the moment but when you down a McDonald's #2, your later self will not like you as much. Discipline comes at a price. The question is do you want to pay the price now or later?
Some may say: Oh, Peter you are one of those workout maniacs that just want a six pack and impress the ladies. A: I am not going to lie. Yes I do! However that is not my primary concern. My concern when working out is to have a healthy, more energetic life so I can enjoy it to the fullest for the longest time possible.
Spiritual:
- Remembering what I want: To be holy and blameless
- Sin is so easy to do, but so hard to get out of. The trap that ensnares you is fed by lies that a blameless life is not as fun as sex, drugs, gambling, cheating, and lying. Even within my own church, we are going through the book of Galatians and one of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control. Self control is a synonym of discipline. So it could be said, self control is remembering what you want. It goes on a several verses later that Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-8a
NOTE: He who sows to the Spirit will reap everlasting life does not mean that eternal life is earned by works. Rather, Paul is saying that everlasting life is the glorious end of those who follow the guidance of the Spirit (see Romans 6:22) Jesus said that He came so that we might have eternal life and have it more abundantly (see John 10:10) In this life through the indwelling of the Spirit, Christians are developing a capacity to experience Christ to the fullest in the life to come. – Nelson’s Study Bible
Nothing truly fulfills like the love of God.
Financial:
- Remembering what I want: To be financially free so I can give lavishly + Waterfront Property
- Some people love cars, others want the best entertainment system, some want a boat. I really want and dream of a waterfront property house. Lord willing, one day after I give many houses away, I will own one.
- My district executive always says: Starbucks is a disease! And it is true. Dave Ramsey has a good saying, Live like no one else so one day you can live like no one else. I believe this Starbucks example really goes back to being in good health as well. Personally, I don’t drink coffee but I understand people who love the taste and have it on occasion or often if you are financially able to. Caffeine can be an addiction. People that say they need the caffeine to function. You Don’t. The triple shots, the quadruple shots. Going to Starbucks 3x a day. It is insanity. But going back to finance, I would much rather see people maxing out their ROTH IRAs than enjoying the ‘delicious’ sip of coffee. The discipline to say NO when everyone else is saying YES can be socially, emotionally, and spiritually draining. But people of discipline get their satisfaction that when you are in a position to do so, it is much sweeter to drink your coffee in financial freedom and not financial debt.
NOTE: I am not against indulgences here and there. What I am saying is that our culture is full of this notion that satisfying your every need NOW is the answer.
In any part of your life, there are decisions you make. What you did last night and how late you stay up effects how energetic you are the next couple of days. The decision you made yesterday effects the decisions you will make today and the decisions you make today will impact the future decisions you make tomorrow. It is an ongoing cycle. So are you making the right decisions? Do you have discipline? What are you doing to make your future self like you?
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