Our natural wiring leads us to seek the truth where it is easy, rather than where it actually is.
It's a known phenomenon coined "drunkards search" or "streetlight effect".
THREAD: The mental wiring that keeps us stuck and the mental toolbox to combat it👇
It's a known phenomenon coined "drunkards search" or "streetlight effect".
THREAD: The mental wiring that keeps us stuck and the mental toolbox to combat it👇
First, a story:
A police officer sees a drunk man searching for something under a streetlight.
"What's going on?" inquires the officer, "do you need help?"
"Yes, I lost my keys," the drunkard mumbles.
They both look under the streetlight together.
A police officer sees a drunk man searching for something under a streetlight.
"What's going on?" inquires the officer, "do you need help?"
"Yes, I lost my keys," the drunkard mumbles.
They both look under the streetlight together.
After a while, the police asks if he is sure he lost them here, and the drunk replies, "no, I lost them in the park."
"Why would you be looking under the streetlight here then?!" the police asks.
"This is where the light is," says the drunkard.
"Why would you be looking under the streetlight here then?!" the police asks.
"This is where the light is," says the drunkard.
This is a type of observational bias that occurs when people search for things where it is easiest to look.
This story seems laughable until you realize it's part of human nature - we gravitate towards easy wins, quick dopamine hits, and least mental effort.
This story seems laughable until you realize it's part of human nature - we gravitate towards easy wins, quick dopamine hits, and least mental effort.
Before you say "that's silly, that's not me.", think about the times you bought new fitness equipment thinking you'd start working out.
Or the times you obsessed over the latest shiny new note-taking app instead of focusing on your own workflow (I'm talking about myself here🙈).
Or the times you obsessed over the latest shiny new note-taking app instead of focusing on your own workflow (I'm talking about myself here🙈).
We will fall short if we are not aware of our own wiring.
It's human nature.
It's human nature.
So, now what?
I've found that it's futile to fight our natural tendencies.
The best way to steer us in the right direction is to use the right mental tools, in this case: trigger(s) and framing questions.
I've found that it's futile to fight our natural tendencies.
The best way to steer us in the right direction is to use the right mental tools, in this case: trigger(s) and framing questions.
Trigger(s):
A tell-tale sign of falling victim to the streetlight effect is that you've exerted effort, attention and/or time, without moving closer to the result you wanted.
Be vigilant and look for the signals.
A tell-tale sign of falling victim to the streetlight effect is that you've exerted effort, attention and/or time, without moving closer to the result you wanted.
Be vigilant and look for the signals.
Questions:
(1) "What was my success criteria?" - re-visit your definition & see if you are moving closer
(2) Metephrically, ask "where did I drop the key?" and "is this the right place to be looking?"
Don't fall into the trap of optimizing for convenience and a sense of reward.
(1) "What was my success criteria?" - re-visit your definition & see if you are moving closer
(2) Metephrically, ask "where did I drop the key?" and "is this the right place to be looking?"
Don't fall into the trap of optimizing for convenience and a sense of reward.
To summarize:
• Take notice of the drunkard's search effect - we tend to search for things where it's easier to look
• Use trigger(s) and questions to combat our natural wiring that may no longer be helping us
Being aware of our wiring is a superpower.
• Take notice of the drunkard's search effect - we tend to search for things where it's easier to look
• Use trigger(s) and questions to combat our natural wiring that may no longer be helping us
Being aware of our wiring is a superpower.
Also tagging some of my favorite peeps in the visual content space: @OzolinsJanis @letsketchin @delivreal @jackbutcher @ash_lmb
If this type of content is your jam, follow them, they are quite amazing.
If there is anyone you'd recommend I follow, please send them my way <3
If this type of content is your jam, follow them, they are quite amazing.
If there is anyone you'd recommend I follow, please send them my way <3
If you found these ideas to be useful, jump back and share.
You can also follow me as I write short-form tweets (#tweet100) and essays (#ship30for30) on rapid learning, productivity and mental models.
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@JessicaShieh
You can also follow me as I write short-form tweets (#tweet100) and essays (#ship30for30) on rapid learning, productivity and mental models.
Follow →
@JessicaShieh
https://twitter.com/JessicaShieh/status/1448909890265645058?s=20
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