Positive thinking: The importance of enjoying the process
Dreams and Golden Medal Syndrome
We all have dreams; they are lifelong goals that we would do anything to accomplish.
"If only I could do that, I would have no regrets."
Everyone has the desire to achieve their wildest dreams, including you, me, and everyone else.
Many athletes aspire to win a gold medal in the Olympics. However, some of them suffer from depression after achieving their lifelong goal. You worked so hard for it, and now that you have reached the pinnacle, what's next? It is really ironic because we want to make our wildest dreams come true but we are not supposed to do so.
Pleasure comes from the process
It is intriguing how achieving success in something does not always bring us a sense of satisfaction or fulfillment. This notion likely resonates with many individuals, as success often provides only fleeting excitement. True fulfillment, however, stems from the process that precedes success. Scientifically, this can be attributed to the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of reward and pleasure. Yet, following the attainment of success, dopamine levels tend to diminish. Hence, adopting a more sustainable approach to happiness involves maintaining motivation and a sense of fulfillment throughout the journey. This entails finding enjoyment in one's pursuits and cultivating mindfulness and gratitude.
My mundane days
In reality, life is not characterized by constant serendipitous events. However, there is no valid reason for us to embrace an ungrateful mindset. Persistently complaining about our circumstances only leads to a sense of torment. While it is natural to experience frustration when things deviate from our plans, it is essential to accept the situation and patiently await the subsiding of our emotions.
Nevertheless, adopting a mindful and purposeful lifestyle can instill a genuine sense of enthusiasm for our daily existence, fostering greater satisfaction and contentment with our personal identity.
Starting from the small things
People like meditating or journaling when they start or end their day. I, however, like starting my day with motivational or inspirational speeches. Meanwhile, I will also do some sit-ups and push-ups to one side, try to get fitter and on the other hand, kick start my day with energy. At night, I usually read an ebook or listen to podcasts and schedule my next day before going to sleep.
Going to school/work
I go to school daily by transit. It is around a 10-minute walk from my apartment to the nearest station and after I reach Admiralty, it is another 15-minute walk across Hong Kong Park. I do this to save up on cash and also get the chance to walk more. I usually listen to podcasts on the way as I can learn on the go. Another reason why I switched to listening to podcasts over scrolling social media or watching YouTube is that I can reduce my screen time, as well as pay more attention to my surroundings and just appreciate the nice scenery. It also allows me to relax and recharge myself and immediately enter working mode when I reach school.
Switching things up a bit
I find doing all my work at home at that same desk a really boring thing to do. I love to occasionally work at a coffee shop or even at school as it helps keep things fresh. Another main reason is that my bed is literally next to my desk at home, which can be a productivity nightmare if I am having a sleepy day. If I am in a place where everyone is so concentrated on their work, it actually puts some pressure on me to not get distracted. I also like meeting friendly staff at a coffee shop as one smile can really make one’s day.
Minimizing music listening and avoiding songs with lyrics
This might be crazy for some people but I personally feel that listening to pop music (which is mainly about love) is distracting and doesn’t help boost productivity at all.
You will end up:
Singing along
Get emotional (for example because of nostalgia)
Reciting the lyrics instead of the contents for your next exam
It is also science-backed that listening to loud music with lyrics while working is a reduction in efficiency but listening to ambient sounds or white noise is beneficial.
Whether or not listening to music is great for helping you finish the task at hand depends on the type of work you are engaged in. Let’s take studying, for example, cognitive tasks such as memorizing and creating connections are better done in silence or with quiet instrumentals in the background. Some might also prefer to have some white noise or brown noise in the background over complete silence.
However, do not listen to your favorite pop song while cramming for your upcoming test. Why? Firstly, some might find it distracting, which is a good thing. Secondly, it disturbs the semantic narrative in our heads of the material we are trying to study. It is almost like your favorite pop song is competing with the content you are trying to study for your attention. If you are interested in how music affects our brain, do check out Andrew Huberman’s How to Use Music to Boost Motivation, Mood & Improve Learning | Huberman Lab Podcast on your podcast app of choice or YouTube.
Silence your phone while you are sleeping
Many smartphones nowadays have a sleep mode or do not disturb mode built-in, always have it turned on or mute your phone at night. When you are having your time to rest and prepare for the next day, you should make full use of it and relax. NEVER PICK UP YOUR PHONE! Whatever notifications or messages popping up can be dealt with in the daytime, but if you don’t have enough sleep, you cannot compensate for it the next day. Is that fulfilling that desire worth your whole day’s productivity?
Stop getting engaged in other people’s lives on social media
While I do follow my friends on Instagram, I seldom allocate time to peruse through their stories. Engaging excessively in the lives of others through social media platforms does not serve as the most effective means to cultivate mindfulness and gratitude. This is particularly true when one follows individuals solely based on their physical attractiveness, without any meaningful or positive impact on personal growth.
I personally approach social media, such as Instagram, as a tool to curate and present a digital portfolio that reflects my self-image. It serves as a means to stay connected with the world, allowing me to briefly access updates and promptly disengage. While occasional posting is acceptable, one should never feel burdened by inactivity. Embracing a sense of individuality amidst the crowd may initially evoke feelings of awkwardness, but it is a crucial step towards achieving personal success.
Closing words
As individuals, it is essential for us to set ambitious goals while simultaneously embracing and finding fulfillment in the process of their attainment. This journey is a significant component of our existence. Rather than solely dedicating ourselves to cramming for upcoming exams, it is imperative to prioritize self-care encompassing both physical and mental well-being. By observing a person's morning and evening routines, their sleep patterns, work habits, and their commitment to overall health, we can glean insights into their level of success and, more importantly, their overall happiness.
In my view, the ultimate measure of achievement lies in cultivating mindfulness and gratitude. These qualities encapsulate the pinnacle of success, representing a profound sense of contentment and fulfillment in our lives.