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Whether you eat the marshmallow at age 5 isn’t your destiny. Self-control can be taught. The secret of self-control, he says, is to train the prefrontal cortex
by yellow_and_gray 12y ago
Whether you eat the marshmallow at age 5 isn’t your destiny. Self-control can be taught.
The secret of self-control, he says, is to train the prefrontal cortex to kick in first.
To do this, use specific if-then plans, like “If it’s before noon, I won’t check email” or “If I feel angry, I will count backward from 10.” Done repeatedly, this buys a few seconds to at least consider your options.
Self-control alone doesn’t guarantee success. People also need a “burning goal” that gives them a reason to activate these skills, he says.
- taphangum 12y agoThank you. Articles like this are getting really annoying.
- closetnerd 12y agoThanks
- pervycreeper 12y agoIndeed, it would have been nice had she provided more substantial detail about his work.
- narag 12y agoThat's just a part of self control, and the easier if you ask me. I have no problem doing nothing, no problem to freeze and avoid undesirable reactions. Getting myself to start something difficult, form a habit, this kind of thing is hard.