Expectations

The Expectation Effect by David Robson

“How your Mindset can change your world”

This book by David Robson starts with the quote from Paradise Lost:

“The Mind is its own place and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven,”  and shows the power of our minds and how our expectations are truly powerful in shaping us. 

In everything from being an eyewitness to sensing a threat, our mood and expectations can cause our brains to perceive things that are not there or exaggerate a threat. 

The brain is also amazing in its ability to grow based on our beliefs and expectations. You can grow your capacity by not believing the limiting idea. The same applies to willpower, as it can grow with practice. Just because we feel discomfort does not mean we have to stop stretching ourselves.

Robson delves into the brain science with numerous examples of studies that back up his contention that what we think can often become reality even when it comes to food and how it is labeled or the name of restaurant dishes that either emphasize health or “comfort” foods will cause our brain to tell our body how to process the food!

How about the idea of destressing stress? By accepting unpleasant feelings rather than suppressing them. “Stress” symptoms may be the body protecting itself to meet its goals and can energize you if you reframe it as such. Even just hearing the word “stress” and how we respond can become our reality.

I think about how I tell people I am bad at math.  Is that true, or is it just that I learn differently and at a different speed from my peers?  In college, I took a math applications course and performed very well in it, even enjoying the subject. Perhaps we should not convince ourselves that we are bad at things by using the wrong language; for instance, I did not enjoy math until college, when I took a class that made it click for me.  How we define words is very important.

Ageing is another big area where our attitude and expectations can prolong our lives. Try focusing on all the things you can gain by living a longer life. Physical weakness and strength are also within our control. Additionally, befriend people outside your age group. I am at the age where I am starting to talk about medical issues (ageing) with my peers!

Some key points.

1. Your mind is a work in progress: The brain can be rewired and changed if you have a growth mindset.
2. Take an outside view: Look at yourself and your current circumstances from the future, such as two weeks ahead, and see how your perspective changes. 
3. Be kind to yourself: Let go of shame, and if you have held limiting beliefs, you can change the self-fulfilling prophecy.