Nir Eyal

A belief is a strongly held conviction that is open to revision based on new evidence.

A strongly held conviction open to revision based on new evidence.

And the fact of the matter is that our important decisions in life, should I start this business?

Should I work with this partner?

Should I marry this person?

Should I move to this city?

Most of our decisions are not based on facts because we can't see into the future.

They're not laws of physics, whether I should start this business.

It's a belief.

I believe it will succeed, right?

And so that's why we have to master these beliefs or they become our masters.

We have to pick them consciously or they decide our life for us.

And once we gain that power, once we actually learn, not just think positively, but actually which beliefs serve me versus which ones hurt me,

They not only do they become our biology, as was the case with a study that increased lifespan, literally increased lifespan.

How did they do that?

Because when I believe that I can grow and adapt at any age, well, how do I behave?

I do things differently.

I'm more likely to go take a walk in the park, even if I'm a little sore.

I go see my friends.

I garden.