It is astonishing how dedicated we can be to our duties sometimes, before our primitive intincts take the lead again, and force us back to our eat – have sex – sleep loop. It is also particularly amazing to observe how deep this loop is inlaid inside our cognitive reasoning.
The exam session is coming near with its whole lot of stress. Not only am I inclined to miss my duties – sport, classes, music, introspection – because I think I have to dive in my books, but also am I inclined to use that extra amount of time to watch a tv show or scroll down social media.
This Thursday, this is exactly what could have happened. I was watching Westworld in the afternoon. Though it is now a fact that this series is astounding, I should have moved my ass to go to sport. “Meh, we’re so close to the exams, no one will be there any way. Maybe I’ll take the train for nothing and I’m just gonna lose time”. 40 minutes before my train’s departure, I paused the show, look at myself in the mirror, slapped me three times over, drenched it in water and shout at myself : “Is that what you’re really worth ? If you don’t go, not only will you miss training, but you’re going to feel guilty and end resuming the tv show instead of learning”. I finally went to sport and had an awesome training because few people were there, it was more personalized and familial. The most amazing part ? When I got off the train, six people were singing together in the station’s hall. I stopped and looked around. Everyone was taking that chance to take a break. There were passers-by, of course, but also public agents, street-sellers and train controllers. At that time, I saw that as a cheerful sign.
How could I change my mind ? One hour before taking my train, I almost convinced myself not to go. When taking such decisions, making a short pros/cons list can be handful. But what if I decide not to follow it ? What if I am just to lazy to hack akrasia ? Just ask yourself : “What’s the best thing I could do, that is going to give me the most credits ?”. Of course, when I decided not to go to sport, I still knew “going” was the best thing I could do. Than if you are sure it is, just turn off your computer, tab, put your phone on plane mode and look at yourself in the mirror. Don’t think anymore, just tie your shoes and look at yourself in the mirror.
WHO DO YOU WANT TO SEE ?