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Influencing Outcomes

How much of our reality is caused by chance events happening to us and how much of that reality is influenced by our mind? This is a pivotal question at the heart of the human condition. How much influence do we really have over our daily reality?

It's an interesting question to ponder. There certainly seem to be myriad examples of people influencing their lives positively through mindset and conscious thought. Examples exist of monks melting snow around them by increasing their body temperature with only their thoughts and their breath.

Priming is another phenomenon that predisposes us to certain thought patterns and reactions. Yale University psychologists showed that our judgement of others can be influenced by the type of drink we are holding in our hand. Those in the study given a hot beverage first perceived others as generous and caring. When given a cold beverage instead, they saw these same individuals as cold and closed off.

If our perceptions can be influenced so easily, then is it possible to alter our reality by changing the way we think about situations? Dr. Ellen Langer, an esteemed Harvard professor, once showed that we can catch a cold simply by spending time in a room filled with items commonly used when sick. When participants were placed in a room with cold medicines, tissues, etc. they actually got sick a short time afterward without being directly exposed to germs.

The "placebo effect" is discussed often, and works in a similar way. When patients are given fake pills, the body can actually heal from several ailments as long as they believe the medicine is real. Our bodies contain an intricate inner pharmacy capable of combating several ailments based on our mental disposition. Dr. Langer is even going to be performing studies on the correlation between stress levels and cancer treatment as there is evidence of a direct relationship between decreased stress and cancer remissions.

The point, of course, is that our minds have more influence over our lives than we realize. Why do bad things always seem to happen to the same people? My argument is that those people are overwhelmingly negative, perpetuating a victim identity that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Those who take things in stride and stay positive tend to overcome life's challenges and achieve success regardless.

Our minds are the most powerful tool at our disposal. If we can learn to gain awareness of our subconscious thoughts and redirect them, we can alter the course of our future. Remaining positive, and even hopeful, through adversity can fuel long-term success. Whether it's our perceptions of others or how likely we are to catch a cold, our thoughts can determine our outcomes.

Hit List

The best things I've encountered this week:

What I'm reading: Suggestible You by Erik Vance

This is one of the most fascinating books I've ever read and was my first encounter with extensive information about the placebo effect. If you want a deeper understanding of how this effect works, and how our body's inner chemistry influences our reality, then I highly suggest reading it.

What I'm also reading: "Experiencing Physical Warmth Promotes Interpersonal Warmth" by Lawrence E. Williams and John A. Bargh

This is the original paper I referenced in the blog above showing how the temperature of a beverage can influence how we perceive those we encounter. It was a fascinating study that is cited often as an example of priming.

What I'm listening to: Dr. Ellen Langer on the Rich Roll Podcast

Listening to this episode was the entire impetus which prompted my thought process on this week's newsletter. This episode is fascinating, as is the work that Dr. Langer has performed throughout her career. I found the entire discussion to be engaging and thought-provoking.

Screenshot of the Week:

Quote of the Week:

"Fear is a tyrant and a despot, more terrible than the rack, more potent than the snake.”- Edgar Wallace

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