19 November 2008 | Brain, Change | admin

Okay. So back to my question from yesterday. Why do we fight even what we know to be in our own best interests?

It turns out that one of the most important factors in helping people change habits and behaviors has to do with motivation.

Well known doctor Dean Ornish was successful in helping 77% of his patients to change their lifestyle and keep up the changes over a 3 year period by reframing the issue. Instead of motivating his patients with the fear of death, he talked to them about the “joy of living”. He knew that he needed to convince them that they could not only live longer (who wants to do that when you feel horrible?) but that they could feel better too.

George Lakoff a professor of cognitive science and linguistics at University of California Berkley tells us that “Concepts are not things that can be changed just by someone telling us a fact. We may be presented with facts, but for us to make sense of them, they have to fit what is already in the synapses of the brain. (Our frames) Otherwise, facts go in and then they go right back out. They are not heard, or they are not accepted as facts, or they mystify us: Why would anyone have said that? Then we label the fact as irrational, crazy, or stupid.” So we have to change the way we present or take in information and even more critically appeal to emotions rather than just stating facts.

The second critical piece to creating enduring change is radical change. This is based on the idea that small changes have such a small effect that the motivation to continue on is very little. Dean Ornish experienced this with his patients and you only have to turn on the TV and watch the Biggest Loser to see it for yourself.

These people are not losing the slow and steady 2 pounds a week. Some of these people are losing up to 18-20 pounds a week so they are getting a pretty quick payoff for their efforts. In addition, like Dean Ornish’s patients they are receiving education and support along the journey. The bottom line is that for most people to stick with programs or keep plugging away at a goal or a dream, they have to see results quickly and consistently or they’ll go back to the habits that got them there in the first place.

The final piece involves supporting the change. Big changes require a lot and the greater the network of support, the greater the likelihood change will endure.

So what does all of this mean? Tune in tomorrow to find out.

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