Behaviours and the Brain

Question 1

What is the elephant? The rider?

Answer 1

The elephant is the right side of your brain - the survival side. All about emotion, sensation, comfort. The primal goals

The left side is the rider - logical, analytical, rational. Left side thinks it has control because it can direct the elephant, but it is not as powerful.

Question 2

What are the three steps of behaviour change using the elephant and rider analogy?

Answer 2

Called Switch

1. Direct the rider - give the rational mind clear instruction and a path to follow - set goals
2. Motivate the elephant - Appeal to the elephant by connecting to it in an emotional way. Break down steps to change so the elephant doesn’t have to move too much at a time
3. Shape the path - change the environment to make it conducive to change. Remove obstacles to change and distractions. Simplify processes so behaviour change is more natural `

Question 3

How can you ensure that the tasks you prescribe for the elephant are not too big of a leap?

Answer 3

Make sure they are confident they can overcome every task - at LEAST a 7/10 they can do it, ideally a 9/10

Question 4

What is the success condition for the elephant and rider analogy?

Answer 4

When you connect all 3 different areas - rider, elephant, and path.

Question 5

What are the 4 Laws of Atomic Habits? (OAES)

Answer 5

make it Obvious - cue yourself. e.g. pill by the sink is good way to get yourself to take medication each day
make it Attractive - temptation bundling - pair an action you NEED to do with an action you WANT to do
make it Easy - small steps! similar to make it obvious. Also - performing an action more times, is more important than performing it for longer duration. e.g. doing 3 shorter workouts more often rather than one super long workout every 3 days
make it Satisfying - reward yourself. If the reward is tangible, make sure it aligns with your goals! e.g. if you are trying to lose weight, don’t make your reward for a workout Mcd’s