Want to Feel Better? Then Think Quicker!
April 26, 2008
Think Quicker - Want to Feel Better? Then Think Quicker!
Some fascinating research was conducted by Emily Pronin and Daniel Wegner from Princeton and Harvard University (Psychological Science, Volume 17, Number 9, 2006) which suggested that simply thinking quicker can have a positive impact on your mood.
They conducted research with undergraduates at Princeton University and divide the total students (144) up into four groups.
- Fast thought—elation statements
- Fast thought—depression statements
- Slow thought—elation statements and
- Slow thought—depression statements
They found that regardless of the content of the statements (i.e. either elation or depression statements) the participants who thought quicker felt in a better mood, improved self-esteem, more creative, powerful and energetic.
The research suggests that just as people feel better after aerobic exercise, for example, rapid thinking may induce a similar effect.
‘The results of this experiment suggest the intriguing possibility that during moments when people feel stuck having depressed thoughts, interventions that accelerate the speed of such thoughts may serve to boost feelings of positive affect and energy.’
One of the implications of this research is that if you are feeling a bit down or feel stuck then accelerating your thinking in and of itself can have a positive impact. And further, this has the potential to create a positive expectation cycle: because you know you are thinking quicker and you can feel yourself thinking quicker you will feel better (because you believe feeling better is what happens)! Again it is similar to a work-out session—you know you will feel better after it and when this happens it confirms your expectation.
The message? The end benefits of Speed Thinking I have found are things like new and better ideas and solutions but the process itself can be just as rewarding.
Dr. Ken Hudson, Founder
The Speed Thinking Zone
think quicker , Speed Thinking , Fast Thinking , Speed to Market
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