So, yesterday we talked about the ‘Stanford Marshmallow Experiment’ and various follow ups and other investigations into ‘self-control’.
About how not being able to see the things that tempted you (not having them in the house or having them hidden at least) made a 20 fold increase in how long people were able to ‘resist’ them.
Got another one for you now.
In other versions of the tests the subjects were asked to describe the ‘treat’ infront of them in both what are know as hot and cold words.
Hot are the sexy, exciting descriptive words.
Such as “delicious”, “gorgeous”, “tasty”, “mouth watering”, “sweet” and so on.
Cold words are the more ‘functional’ descriptions.
“Square”, “round”, “white”, “flat”, “brown” and so on.
When the subjects described the foods in front of them with ‘hot’ words, they lasted under a minute on average before they ate those “delicious, mouth watering marshmallows.”
When ‘cold’ words were used those “small, round, white marshmallows” lasted over 17 minutes on average.
Again a MAAAAHOOOOOSSSSSIIIIVVVVEEEEEEE difference.
Many of you will read this and think “Oh, that’s interesting.”
But won’t do anything with it.
Those that do I hope will see a change.
Next time you start to think of that beer / wine / biscuit / cake (or whatever), make a conscious effort to describe it in your head using cold words.
If it means the time between you eating / drinking such things increase 17 fold then I’m sure you’ll agree that would make a huge difference.
Again, don’t try it and it definitely won’t work.
Give it a go my friend đŸ™‚
Much love,
Jon ‘Two arms, two legs, body and a head’ Hall and Matt ‘Looks like a famous footballer’ Nicholson
