Action Bias -- the reason your brain will NOT like this blog (but you might)

"Brainy What-Why-How"

Your weekly nibble of science-backed goodness to help you move better and feel unstoppable.

🧠

What:

We have a psychological tendency to prefer doing something -- anything -- over pausing....

even when stopping to reflect would actually solve the problem.

It's called Action Bias, and yours truly has been stuck in the "busy = productive" rut for months. 

I'm finally digging my way out of that rut by doing the wildest thing imaginable: STOPPING 🤯

Why:

Action Bias is ramped up by our brains' discomfort with uncertainty.

(If you've been here a while, you'll know the brain LOVES being able to predict...even if it's wrong.) 

You know those flies that repeatedly smash themselves into a closed window... when an open window is right there? 🪰 

That's us in Action Bias: busy, determined, and delusional.

Busyness gives a tiny dopamine hit and the illusion of progress, so we keep choosing action over reflection, doing over wisdom-- even if it's taking us in the wrong direction.

I just kept on doing the same thing* that I knew wasn't working, out of fear that if I stopped, I'd never be able to restart. 

How:

Lucky for us, Action Bias has been studied and researched (so this ain't just vibes**):

So if this is sounding familiar to you, try asking:

"What emotion am I avoiding right now?" 
Great if resting makes you feel guilty or itchy.

"What happens if I just stop for 5 minutes?" 
Perfect if you swear you'll "figure it out" but never create space to actually think on it.

"Is what I'm doing moving me forward...or just keeping me busy?" 
If you keep starting new projects instead of finishing current ones, this one's your friend.

"If I were the CEO of my life, would I be doing this?" 
Use if you keep "fixing" stuff but nothing bigger-picture actually changes.

"How will I feel about this decision in 10 minutes? 10 weeks? 10 years?" 
Excellent reality check if action feels easier than planning.

*And me? 
I've declared November my Pause & Reflect Month. There are big changes coming to my online world, but I'm not rushing the announcement 😇

  • You won't see any Black Friday sales from me. 

  • You won't see me on social media in December. 

  • In January, something new begins -- and since I won't be on socials, I honestly have no idea how it will go since that's still my main way to promote my things. 

I'm in full let's see what happens mode. NO pressure. No urgency. 

Thank you for being the inbox friend I get to share this with. 

Flying around the window this time, 

💋 Adell

**Or maybe it is just vibes?? I turn 40 this Friday 🎂 and honestly… maybe this whole “I can stop, reflect, and trust myself” thing is just what happens when a big round birthday is looming and you finally run out of fucks. What about you—have you felt this shift too?

Want to go way deeper with me? 👀 ​

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