Overcoming Cognitive Dissonance.
Overcoming Cognitive Dissonance for Effective Study
Cognitive dissonance, the internal discomfort caused by conflicting thoughts, can hinder our study goals. To address this, Harvard Medicine School recommends the following strategies:
Justify your behavior: Identify conflicting thoughts and create affirmations in the present tense that help you overcome painful memories associated with those conflicts. These affirmations should evoke intense positive emotions to reinforce your commitment to your goals.
Ignore the dissonance: Use humor to divert your attention from conflicting thoughts. For example, imagine Donald Duck's voice reading those thoughts aloud, making them sound ridiculous and eliciting laughter. This technique can work well for minor embarrassments or uncomfortable memories.
Tap into familiar emotions: Connect your study goals with positive emotions from familiar experiences. Recall joyful memories, such as the excitement of Christmas morning, to motivate yourself to study. By associating the joy of opening presents with the act of studying, you can eliminate discomfort and find motivation in familiar emotions.
Minimize the dissonance: Engage in physical activities like moderate or intense exercise to shift your focus away from conflicting thoughts. Listening to positive music and singing along can also help. Writing down your thoughts and burning the paper can provide a sense of release and closure.
Additionally, taking deep breaths and repeating "let it go" with firm intention can help you let go of conflicting thoughts and move forward.
By implementing these strategies recommended by Harvard Medicine School, you can effectively manage cognitive dissonance, stay focused on your studies, and achieve your learning goals.