Despite the way this is presented as a productivity / life hack, the broad principles are backed by good science. Specifically, the process of positive reinfor

Despite the way this is presented as a productivity / life hack, the broad principles are backed by good science. Specifically, the process of positive reinforcement and challenging assumptions is a cornerstone of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy movement in psychology and counseling. CBT has been shown to be as effective as medications at treating a wide range of mental health issues — depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive, substance abuse, and so on. Anecdotally, this type of reinforcement is hard, but worth it. By definition you are trying to retrain your brain to be wired to better habits than it’s trained to now. You’re violating your comfortable response with a decidedly different one. But after you’ve practiced enough, these methods can provide real relief for mental health.