Have you ever felt that no matter how hard you try, your goal is still out of reach? Do you feel trapped and you're never getting the results you want, despite your best efforts?
The answer may be simpler than you think, or even the opposite of your intuition. Here it isThe Law of Reverse Effort
The Law of Reverse EffortProposed by the writer and philosopher Aldous Huxley. He wrote more than fifty books in his lifetime and is no stranger to hard work. Huxley discovered,The more he wants to complete a project, the harder it is to do it
Huxley explainedThe more deliberately we try to do something, the more likely we are to fail。Effort turns into a paradox. Only when weCombine action with relaxationto find a balance that will help us achieve our goals.
Compare the law of reverse effort toSwim against the currentVery apt. We can swim against the current, try our best to find a place to rest, and wrestle with the rushing current, but never get close to the goal.
Or, we can chooseSwim downstreamto find different ways to leave the current. We don't have to swim against the current, but let the current take us elsewhere. While the results are similar, the process is very different.
The Law of Reverse Effortborrowed from ancient ChinaInactionPhilosophical thoughts, emphasizedInactionorEffortless action。To do nothing means to go along with one's heart, like a stake that goes with the flow, surrendering to the status quo and giving it time, patience, and space.
Insomnia is a good example. We can force ourselves to sleep, but often in vain. It's only easier to fall asleep when we focus on other things, such as counting sheep or reading a book.
Here's oneReverse effortwithSurrenderA perfect example of this. We can't force ourselves to sleep, and control is counterproductive. Increasing stress can make us even more unable to relax, and we end up in a vicious cycle.
Ambivalent intentIt's a rebellious mentality, which meansDo the opposite of what is traditionally beknownt。This concept is often used to overcome fear, such as exposing a person to fear, thus overcoming fear.
The Law of Reverse EffortIt is also associated with ambivalent intentions. When we decide not to care and give ourselves mental space away from the goal or task, it is easier to achieve the goal.
As children, when we learn to ride a bike, we feel a lot of pressure. We need to consider pedaling, balance, steering, and many other factors. When parents hold us up, the stress is reduced because we trust that they will help us.
When parents let go, we are still able to ride the bike successfully because the stress is gone and we don't overthink anymore.
The Law of Reverse EffortIt is also suitable for athletes who perform well in high-pressure moments. In critical moments, such as throwing the winning basket, athletes often feel a lot of pressure, resulting in dysfunctional performance.
Unless athletes learn to control their nerves and reduce stress through affirmation and grounding techniques, it will be difficult for them to do well in high-pressure moments.
A study shows that at critical moments in the game, enterFlow stateof athletes tend to perform better. They are free of pressure and fully immersed in the game, so they are able to perform at their best.
RestIt is at the heart of the law of reverse effort. Only by letting go of stress can we gain mental rest.
Taking regular breaks to relax your mind is the key to overcoming the law of reverse effort. You can go for a walk, get together with friends, travel, or change the environment.
Sports psychologists often advise athletes to use grounding techniques to cope with stress. This can be breathing, meditation, exercise, mindfulness, anything that makes you feel calm and relaxed.
Mindfulness practice can help us increase our awareness, live in the moment, and reduce attachment to tasks, which can lead to increased productivity and well-being.
The Law of Reverse Effortis a powerful concept that can help us succeed in life.