The Positive Effects Of A Sinking Economy

I love discovering new voices -- and being a mentor to blooming young writers. With this in mind, I'd like to introduce Nisha Kumar. Here's her first post on my blog -- about a fascinating editorial from the NY Times -- all about the positive affects of a sinking ecomony. Take it away, Nisha...

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Thanks, Karen!

In a time where messages of recession, war, and conflict have been flooding our news, I was happy to discover a happy editorial spin on world events in the NY Times – about the positive effects of our sinking economy.

This surprisingly upbeat editorial was called “Tighten Your Belt, Strengthen Your Mind” and was written by Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang.

The cliff notes in one sentence: They explain how restraining your consumer spending may actually help you achieve other goals in your life.

Admittedly, at first glance, their theory may sound like a sham – as if by the end of their piece they’re going to convince you to purchase a software package for $99.99. But no. They’re serious – and offer serious studies to back up their theory.

Aamodt and Wang explained how the brain has a limited capacity of self-regulation, but by practicing the control of your willpower, your willpower capacity can actually increase.

Meaning? If during “lean times” you exercise self-control and curb your instinct to spend or indulge in things you don't really need, you will then be strengthening your willpower and your mind for other important goals in your life.

For example, if you can get yourself to resist having that latte from Starbucks every morning -- you will not only save money – but your willpower muscles will be strengthened just that wee bit more – thereby perhaps motivating you to finally sign up for that Italian class – pronto!

Basically, every person has (1) short term willpower capability and (2) long term willpower capability.

(1) Your short-term willpower requires making small adjustments in order to help you reach smaller goals in your life. And little by little the more you display just a little willpower the more your short-term willpower increases.

(2) Your long-term will power is used for the bigger and tougher goals and obstacles in your life. And the way the brain is structured, it helps if you take on one big goal at a time in order to use your willpower to its maximum. Once you are able to achieve your first goal, it should then be easier to conquer your second -- and so on.

The happy news: Eventually, your brain grows accustomed to tapping into both techniques of self control, and thus over time it becomes easier to focus on doing more positive habits which lead to greater success.

Aamodt and Wang mention how increasing willpower capacity can even begin with something as simple as brushing your teeth for two weeks with your non-dominant hand. This personally chosen shift will eventually increase your willpower muscles, and help you gain control over those other irascible parts of your life which you know you’ve been needing to show a little self-control over.

Pretty amazing stuff, huh?

Personally I loved hearing how I might spin-doctor our looming and gloomy world economic recession in to a potential time of personal growth and greater life success.

On that note, I'm off to brush my teeth with my left hand.

Nisha Kumar reporting!