You know that happy feeling you get while thinking about your next holiday, seeing Money in your account, or the pleasure of a delicious meal shared with people you appreciate?
We sometimes experience such feelings even if nothing has happened yet, and in short, it is all down to your brain's reward system.
Our brain is very complex and a fascinating area to research. Until now, scientists mainly focused on analysing the release of dopamine and serotonin with a view to understand how and when the brain produces those chemicals. But we are from knowing everything about the way our brain works.
I like to keep my posts as jargon-free as possible and came across a new study from Columbia University that I felt like sharing with you.
The research puts forward that there might be new and better ways to motivate yourself and keep up good habits.
Let me illustrate this point!
Based on the findings, if you wear a suit every time you get paid by a client on time, you will most likely end up associating the feeling and sense of touching the clothes with cash coming in. Even if there is no direct "rational and obvious cause or consequence" between wearing this outfit and money moving your way, like it or not, the reward system of your brain will eventually make this association.
Once the association is made, wearing the suit helps you maintain or get through tasks you normally wouldn't enjoy, such as collecting amounts owed to you ... because the brain's reward mechanism equates wearing the outfit to the "reward and pleasure of "money coming in!
While this study focused on the tactile sense, it might be that all of the senses could be highly useful in motivation and behavioural change. After all, think about it this way : Our five senses are wrapped up in emotional recall and memory. That is also why, for instance, the smell of a perfume will bring back happy memories of times spent with someone who wore this scent.
My take on it?
The study is another scientific proof that behaviours can change in more ways than we imagined, and excellent news for people who want to start taking action regarding their relationship with Money!
I am curious : What is your take on it?