Round tuit

Many of us make plans we end up not carrying out. So, Sherlock, why do we fail to follow through on our intentions? It turns out that thinking excessively about our present circumstances and preferences disproportionately influences our decisions.

Right here, right now.

Most of our behaviors are not purposeful, thought-out choices, although this is an illusion we have about others. Our behaviors are driven more by the seductive “now-moment”—all of the things going on in our environment in real time. The extent to which the present looms large in our mind (psychologists call this focus temporal myopia) was measured in a study of adults, aged 20 to 81 years old (2003). Participants rated how frequently they thought about the future, ranging from almost never to 10 years from now. Adults of all ages reported that their thoughts were concentrated only on the next few months.

Thus, our short-term inclination of what to do—watch TV rather than study—often does not accord with our assessment of what is in our long-term best interests—studying rather than watching TV. The point is not that watching TV is necessarily a worse way to spend our time than studying quantum mechanics. Rather, the point is we may wish that we would study rather than watch TV, yet we still watch TV. In short, willpower goes out the window.

The best laid plans of mice and men.

What might explain this lack of self-control? Clarity decreases with distance and behavioral scientists tell us this applies to our perception of the future as well as our sense of sight. We plan to exercise (diet, quit smoking, follow through on New Year’s resolutions, save for our old age, pull it out in time,* etc.), but too often we prove limited in our capacity or desire to implement our intentions (self-control trap**). Seems we’re always getting “round tuit,” even though we know it will undermine our long-term well-being:

• NeXters realize the importance of saving for their future, but many fail to take action. In a study of 19 to 27 year old university students (2005), the overwhelming majority (more than 90 percent) responded that saving was “Very important” or “Important,” at this stage in their life. Yet, at the behavioral level, only one-tenth reported they were responsible enough to have a monthly budget.
• Nearly a third of undergraduate college students now are 25 or older and almost as many have dependent children. Most say they plan to get a four-year degree eventually, but few actually do.
• As a young professional habituates to higher income and consumption levels, he is prone to consume even more than he had anticipated. Since spending nearly always rises to meet or exceed one’s paycheck, his long-term saving falls short of intentions. He also plans to enroll in the company’s 401k plan, but hasn’t gotten “round tuit.” If he makes $50,000 a year and the firm matches 6% of his contributions, he’s turning down 3,000 smackers of FREE money each year.
• Many couples who wanted to hold the line at two kids have three, and sometimes more, by what is euphemistically called an “accident.” A half century after the sale of birth control pills was approved, nearly half of parents who had another child said “There wasn’t a reason; it just happened.”
• Do your kisses taste like an ashtray? If you smoke, your risk of developing lung cancer is approximately 23x higher (among men) and 13x higher (among women) compared with those who have never smoked. We all know you can stop, Sherlock—you’ve done it a dozen times.

The art of the long-view.

To avoid triggering the self-control trap and make good on your intentions, here are a few tips to keep you focused on the future:

• Making a positive self-commitment can be of value when your long-term intent and your short-term actions diverge. Thinking “why” versus “how” at the moment of decision can significantly increase self-control and help you make the wise choice.
• During periods of stress, we focus more on the present than on the past or the future. Concentrating on and mentally rehearsing an upcoming positive life change will help you be more future-oriented.
• Commitment devices help protect us from ourselves. Automatic payroll deductions, for example, force us to save for retirement. Cooling off periods for certain purchases such as credit repair, weight reduction, health clubs, and timeshares allow us time to reflect on the long-term consequences of those choices.
• Do what you have to do, whether you like it or not! If conflicted, share your thoughts with a trusted adult. They understand the bigger picture and can suggest some good habits to get you where you want to go (more on habits in the next post, so stay tuned).

You’ve all heard the expression, “They spend more time planning their vacation than they do their future.” Behold, the seductive now-moment at work. Well, now you know.

* This is the world’s second-most broken promise (the first is, “We won’t go all the way.”). Ladies take note.

** Questionable beliefs can “trap” our better judgment, leading to poor decisions and unintended consequences. In the self-control trap, we fail to follow through on our intentions, often sacrificing that which is in our long-term self-interest. Learn more about this, and other interesting topics, in the Young Person’s Guide to Wisdom, Power, and Life Success.

Image credit: “woman feet in hammock on the beach” by Oleg Gavrilov, licensed from 123rf.com (2016).