Mind Food

The Law Of Diminishing Returns

10 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment

by happygobingo in Blog, Education, Health, Improvement, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Philosophy, Psychology

The law of diminishing returns is the theory that the more your experience something, the less effective it becomes. Think of the drug addict that needs more and more drugs, just to achieve the same high.  Or think of the that time you ate your favorite food 10 times in a row. You most likely became sick of it, or at least didn’t enjoy it as much as the first time.

This is a simple, yet powerful tool to use in your life. On one hand, you need to restrict your favorite things to keep them pleasurable. On the other hand, you need to face your fears and things you HATE to do as often as possible. That’s the great thing about this law, you can use it to lower the pain of the things you hate!

I also thought of another technique to use with this theory. Constantly diversify and try to experience new things, to keep things fun and exciting. I feel I made a huge mistake in my past by abusing the activity’s I love.  Now those things I have passion for are kind of boring and as a result I’m bored and lack energy.  My passions keep me happy and energetic so its very important not to let this happen or my whole life can suffer.

In summary:

1. Stay hungry for your passions. Tease yourself a little bit, so that the experience stays fresh and exciting.
2. Keep trying new things to expand your list of pleasurable experiences and to avoid diminishing returns.
3. Do the things you fear and hate (that would be beneficial to your life) to conquer them and gain control of your life.

Continuum of Diminishing Returns

(Exposure Positive)

Fear———————————————————Fearless

Starting point——————(Exposure)——–> Work your way this way

(Exposure Negative)

Boredom——————————————-Excitement

Stay away from this<——-(Exposure)——————–Starting point

Please leave your comments of the great things you’ve destroyed, by being around the thing you loved too much and/or the things you should start doing more often so you can conquer that fear.