The Power of Belief

Author and TED speaker (What makes technology so habit forming?) Nir Eyal has written several books about frameworks to master attention, build better habits, and rethink the beliefs that shape behavior.

In his latest book, “Beyond Belief,” the author describes how our (often unconscious) thoughts dictate our actions, in ways that are not always helpful to us. He presents research about beliefs and concludes that beliefs are mental tools rather than rigid facts. While fact is objective truth, and faith is conviction without evidence, belief is firmly held opinion that is open to revision based on new evidence. Beliefs help us navigate reality when the truth is not fully known, and we can choose beliefs that are helpful to us. The best beliefs are based on practical reality, open to adjustment, and hold up to real world feedback. Hoping that results will manifest on their own and waiting for problems to resolve by themselves can be unrealistic and an excuse for inaction. We often picture motivation as a straight line from behavior for a benefit, but believing that effort will make a difference is crucial.

The book is divided into three sections presenting stories and studies about the three powers of belief: attention, anticipation, and agency. Each chapter ends with a list of limiting beliefs that can be transformed into liberating beliefs. At the end of the book are Takeaways for each chapter.

Attention: beliefs shape perceptions, which in turn affects what we do. In his book “Indistractable,” the author shows how attention can be diverted by external and internal distractions. The opposite of distraction is traction: action toward what we really want. Mastering our own internal distractions means understanding what drives your behavior, which is often decided by avoidance of discomfort. An article at his website describes steps from Dr. Jonathan Bricker to keep a distraction log. https://www.nirandfar.com/distractions (Jonathan Bricker’s TED talk The Secret to Self Control). Learn more about dealing with Distractions.

Anticipation: we feel what we believe. The experience loop: believe – anticipate – feel – confirm, is often used to trigger desire for a product by marketers. In the book “Hooked,” the author describes a user’s interactions with a product as they pass through four phases: a trigger to begin using the product, an action to satisfy the trigger, a variable reward for the action, and some type of investment that, ultimately, makes the product more valuable to the user. The author suggests using selective skepticism. https://www.nirandfar.com/how-to-manufacture-desire/

Agency: what we believe affects our ability to act and stay motivated. Agency is the capacity to take action, make choices, and exert control over your life and environment. Albert Bandura researched self-efficacy, the belief in our ability to shape our lives through our own efforts. People with an internal locus of control believe that their personal decisions and efforts guide much of their lives. Those with an external locus of control believe that outside forces like fate, luck, circumstances, and temptations—are responsible for the events of their lives. This section of the book points out that research has shown that helplessness is a default, rather than being learned. By successfully taking charge in a challenging situation, the brain pathways that override passive defaults are reinforced. Martin Seligman says that with optimism, we can “light up” what he calls a hope circuit in the medial prefrontal cortex. Optimal challenges give us opportunities to build competence with mastery experiences. https://www.nirandfar.com/locus-of-control/ Learn more about Agency.

Charles Snyder was a professor at the University of Kansas who researched hope theory. Hope Theory defines hope not as an emotion, but as a cognitive and motivational state. It operates on a simple equation: Hope = Goals + Agency + Pathways. Hope comes from believing that you can achieve goals (what power), having confidence in your agency (willpower), and a pathway to achieve your goals (way-power). Willpower is a belief in our ability to achieve goals that enables forward progress, and way-power is the mental capacity to find good solutions for achieving them. With hopeful thinking, you activate specific neural pathways that help you navigate adversity with greater resilience.

GOALS – What power. To discover goals that you want to do, you need to understand yourself. The Discover U series includes resources for identifying strengths and more. Gain what power by developing skills for goal setting, planning, and productivity.

PATHWAYS – Way power. To build pathways: identify the problem (where you are stuck), look for effective options, and build a pathway forward with resources and your strengths.

AGENCY – Willpower. To develop personal agency (the ability to act independently and intentionally to influence life) use strengths and gain confidence with small steps toward competence. Be aware of what you can influence and overcome limiting beliefs. Learn more about Mental Beliefs 

Resources:

• Beyond Belief Workshop
• Author visit at Montgomery County Library: video and discussion guide
• Interview with Scott Young
• Beyond Belief and Indistractable Talks at Google

About dailyplanit

I seek to create order from the chaos of complex information. Join me at the Daily PlanIt to gain insights, inspiration, and information to increase skills for a better life. I unlock the power of teaching reading with phonics in the pursuit of literacy at www.phonicspow.com. In my spare time I explore books and movies, often choosing titles available on both screen and page.