Your Present Day is a sum of Lagging Indicators
Mental models are powerful tools for understanding and improving our lives. They are frameworks for understanding how the world works and how we can navigate it more effectively. One mental model that can be particularly helpful for improving our present day is the concept of lagging indicators.
Lagging indicators are the results or outcomes that we are currently experiencing. They are the effects of the actions we have taken in the past. For example, if we are currently in good physical shape, that is a lagging indicator of the actions we have taken in the past, such as exercising regularly and eating healthy.
To change our present day, we must first understand that it is what it is. We cannot change the past, but we can take control of the present and shape our future. To do this, we must focus on the underlying systems that drive our results.
Beliefs are a key part of these systems. Our beliefs shape our behavior and our perception of reality. To change our present day, we must survey our beliefs and be open to new information and experiences that challenge our existing worldview.
One simple yet powerful way to change our present day is to focus on our energy levels and mood. These are closely tied to our physical health and can be greatly influenced by our food, exercise, and sleep habits. By making small changes in these areas, we can have a big impact on how we feel and how we experience our present day.
In conclusion, to change our present day, we must understand that it is a sum of lagging indicators, and that the actions we take today will shape our future. We must focus on the underlying systems that drive our results, and be open to new information and experiences that challenge our existing beliefs. By making small changes in our food, exercise, and sleep habits, we can greatly improve our energy levels and mood, and thus improve our present day. Remember, the key is to focus on systems over goals.
Yes, habits are an important part of the systems that drive our results. Habits are routines or behaviors that we engage in regularly and often without much conscious thought. They are a powerful way to automate decision making and increase the probability of certain behaviors and actions happening more often.
One way to think about habits is as mental shortcuts. They allow us to make decisions and take actions quickly and efficiently, without having to spend a lot of time and energy thinking about them. For example, when we form the habit of exercise, we no longer have to make a decision about whether or not to exercise each day, we just do it.
Habits can also increase the probability of certain behaviors and actions happening more often. When we form a habit, we are creating a neural pathway in our brain that makes it easier for us to repeat that behavior in the future. The more we repeat a behavior, the stronger the neural pathway becomes, and the more likely we are to repeat that behavior again in the future.
One effective way to build habits is to use the habit loop, which includes:
cue: the trigger that initiates the habit
routine: the behavior or action that you want to become a habit
reward: the benefit or pleasure that you receive from completing the behavior
By identifying the cue, routine, and reward for a habit, you can set up a system for automating your decision-making and increase the probability of certain behaviors and actions happening more frequently.
In addition, by understanding the habit loop and identifying the cue, routine, and reward, you can also change the habit or break the habit if you want to, by changing the cue, routine or the reward.
In conclusion, habits play a crucial role in shaping our present day, they are systems for automating decision-making and increasing the probability of certain behaviors and actions happening more frequently. By understanding the habit loop and using it to build new habits or change existing ones, we can improve our present day and shape our future.
here's an example of how the habit loop can be used to adopt a new good behavior:
Before:
Cue: feeling tired in the morning
Routine: hitting snooze button and going back to sleep
Reward: feeling more rested for a few minutes
After:
Cue: alarm clock going off in the morning
Routine: getting out of bed and doing a short workout
Reward: feeling energized and ready for the day
In this example, the cue is the same (alarm clock going off in the morning), but the routine and reward have changed. Instead of hitting snooze and going back to sleep, the new routine is getting out of bed and doing a short workout. The reward for this new behavior is feeling energized and ready for the day, rather than just feeling more rested for a few minutes.
It is important to mention that, to make this change happen, it is necessary to have a clear motivation and to have a plan to overcome the obstacles that may arise, such as feeling too tired to workout, lack of time, etc.
Here's an example of how the habit loop can be used to discard a bad behavior:
Before:
Cue: feeling stressed or bored
Routine: mindlessly scrolling through social media
Reward: feeling distracted and entertained
After:
Cue: feeling stressed or bored
Routine: going for a walk or doing a quick meditation
Reward: feeling relaxed and focused
Tying Everything Back Together:
In this example, the cue is the same (feeling stressed or bored), but the routine and reward have changed. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media, the new routine is going for a walk or doing a quick meditation. The reward for this new behavior is feeling relaxed and focused, rather than feeling distracted and entertained.
By identifying the cue, routine, and reward of a habit, and by making small changes to the routine, we can change the habit and improve our present day. It is important to note that, changing a habit is not easy, it takes time, effort, and patience to change a habit, but it is worth it.
the actions that we engage in from our routines are what ultimately drive our results. The choices we make and the actions we take on a daily basis are what shape our present day and our future.
As we discussed earlier, lagging indicators are the results or outcomes that we are currently experiencing. They are the effects of the actions we have taken in the past. For example, if we are currently in good physical shape, that is a lagging indicator of the actions we have taken in the past, such as exercising regularly and eating healthy. Similarly, if we are currently struggling with a particular challenge or obstacle, that is a lagging indicator of the actions we have taken in the past, or the lack of actions.
The reason why these are called lagging indicators is because they lag behind the actions and decisions that led to them. Our actions and decisions today will shape our future, but we won't see the results of those actions and decisions until some time has passed.
*Written by ChatGPT
** ChatGPT prompted by me
