How to work WITH your brain

On Monday, I sent you the first of a few psychology-based mindset tips coming Can't view this email properly? [View in Browser]() {NAME}, On Monday, I sent you the first of a few psychology-based mindset tips coming your way this week. (If you missed that email, search your inbox for “Who do you want to be in 2024?”) Today, I want to explore how our brains are built to prioritize short-term rewards — and how you can use your natural need for instant gratification to your advantage while still making progress on [your long-term goals](). My hope is that you’ll use these ideas to start 2024 with a clear map to change your life, and the willpower to actually do it. Ramit and Cass Every year, my wife and I take time to discuss our Rich Life and figure out what we want that year to be like. The short-term reward struggle The human brain LOVES instant gratification. We’re biologically wired to look for the next best thing. The delicious reward. The easy way out. [Even when we know better](). This wasn’t really a problem in prehistoric days, when rewards were few and far between (and usually served raw). But in an age where you can press a button and get virtually anything you want delivered to your face, the urge to choose rewards can be a little…distracting. But this is America GIF Since studying psychology in college, I’ve always been interested in how to get the most out of my own brain. Over the years, [I’ve worked with hundreds of people]() to help figure out how their own brains were tripping them up (especially when it comes to thinking about money). [Podcast]() On a recent episode of my podcast, I spoke to Cassandra and Aldo about their debt. [Watch and listen here](). My goal is to help you build systems that work with your brain instead of trying to fight your evolutionary biology. Here are a few simple strategies you can use to scratch the short-term reward itch. Reward strategy #1: Set shorter goal lengths Think about your plan for the next month or two. What will you be doing? I bet you’ve got some clear and concrete ideas. Now think about 10 years from now. Things are a little fuzzier, aren’t they? [We’re terrible at predicting the future](). So it’s no wonder that trying to consider your life goals on the scale of years often feels like putting on someone else’s prescription glasses. Instead of telling yourself, “In 10 years, I want to have a business doing $1M in revenue,” try first saying: “[I’ll launch my business within the next month and earn at least $3,000]() within the first 3 months.” Shorter timeframes are easier for your brain to grasp. That means you’re more likely to stay focused on accomplishing your goal. Reward strategy #2: Refocus on the goal, not the effort it will take Speaking of staying focused, a funny thing happens on the way to accomplishing our goals. Even when we get clear on what we want (the reward we’ll reap) and how we plan to get there (the effort we’ll put in), [our brains eventually stop thinking about the reward](). Instead, we start thinking about the effort…and how arduous this whole thing is probably going to be. Knowing that you’re likely to get bogged down in the less-fun parts of working toward your goal, you can build in practices to refocus on the reward you’re going to earn. Something as simple as sticking a Post-it note to your computer monitor with a short description of the reward you’re working toward can genuinely help! What you’re doing here is [tying positive emotion to the idea of completing your goal](). Laptop Reward strategy #3: Celebrate the wins Finally, don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments along the way. Buy yourself something you’ve been wanting. Make reservations at a nice restaurant. Throw yourself a little dance party. I don’t care how you celebrate, as long as you do! Why does this matter? The brain has a tendency to focus on the negative, so intentionally building in these celebratory practices can help you in a lot of different ways. Plus, celebrating the small wins helps build momentum for your [Big Wins](). These are the practices successful entrepreneurs cultivate The above strategies are just a few of the ways I’ve seen my friends, mentors, and other entrepreneurs work with their brains to accomplish impressive goals. These practices rarely come naturally. You have to cultivate them. That’s great news, because it means successful people aren’t different from you. They’ve just learned to use their brains differently — and you can too. More soon, [Signature] [Programs]() [Podcast]() [Netflix show]() [Books]() [Website]() [IG]() [in]() [X]() [YT]() Was this forwarded to you? [Sign up here](). [Unsubscribe here](. 548 Market St #89946 San Francisco, CA 94104-5401