📈The Total Deviation Phenomenon
Making the best of life’s experiences through light research
Happy Sunday Friends,
Have you ever hated an experience so much that you stopped thinking about that domain altogether?
Examples:
Had food so bad that you stopped eating that cuisine?
Had a flight so bad that you now avoid that airline altogether?
You get the idea.
The same happened to me
18 months ago, I made the grave mistake of joining a gym closer to home without thoroughly trying the facilities. Even though I joined the gym for my perceived convenience (I could see it from my window). I went there maybe 5 times in 6 months and managed to meet the trainer (that I paid for) only once.
It was disappointing.
The experience was so bad that I paused exercise altogether and was greeted by unexplained tiredness and weight gain for the first time. I was reading the words; I feel tired in my journal quite frequently and knew I had to change my approach.
So, in August, I went on a very thorough spree to find the best gym and trainers my money could buy me. And after trialling about 20 gyms, I succeeded in finding one.
The results of that careful research can be seen in every aspect of my life.
I enjoy working out 5-6x a week. I have a healthier diet. My sleep has improved. My mind is more alert, and my focus is sharper.
For the first time in my life, I am looking for gyms, home workouts, runs and other ways to get a workout in while travelling.
I have realised that much like light entering a prism, all humans go through this Total Deviation Refraction for most experiences in their lives.
The first refraction happens when we enter an experience with certain expectations. Then, once again, when we exit with our experience of reality. These refraction events cause us to transform in one of the two ways:
We are met with a pleasant experience that makes our brain associate positivity with taking chances in the future.
We are met with a bad experience that makes our brain say: protect yourself from this experience again at all costs.
But this angle of deviation can be inverted from positive to negative by taking some time time to research the quality of experiences where possible
Such as:
Check reviews and order starters before the meal.
or
Booking a short flight to test out the airline before buying a long and cheaper flight
or try 20 gyms before you find the one you are happy with.
This research process can be applied to most things in life, from finding reliable restaurants to friends and mentors.
I have realised that commitment and returns on that time investment are much greater when we do our due diligence.
Have a great week.
Love,
Wajiha
Things I am enjoying this week:
Podcasts:
How I write podcast with David Perell:
I have listened to Morgan Housel talk about his writing process. One key takeaway from the episode was that he didn't change his writing style to write a book. He just wrote 100 long blog posts and combined them into a book. That's why the chapters in his best-selling book “The Psychology of Money” are so short.
Incoming only:
I am in Dubai for a few weeks and have a local tourist sim. Since wifi is available in most places here, I have decided to avoid putting any data bundles in it for as long as possible. I can only receive incoming calls and messages when connected to the internet. I don't waste my time on excessive browsing. It is fantastic.
One tweet that resonated with me this week :
“Sometimes the work just needs doing” - Alex Hormozi
My Travel Sleep Gear:
Last week, I mentioned that I suit up for long sleep on flights. If you are curious, my gear includes:
1. An Ostrich Pillow neck pillow and eye mask.
Noise Cancelling Headphones playing white noise to drown out plane noise (I use AirPods )
Lightweight blanket travel blanket (I bought mine years ago from Amsterdam airport) to support my back and a thin woollen shawl to cover my feet.
Lots of thick Moisturiser to combat dry plane air.
A hammock footrest to put my feet up.