Daniel Finkelstein in The Times is discussing the idea of “new politics”, in the light of the very new (well, very hasn’t-happened-for-a-while) political situation in the UK – coalition government. How can we have new politics when politicians are still just people and are still responding to the same incentives?
But the most useful thing that studying evolutionary psychology has taught me is humility about how much politics can really change us. So much of human behaviour is innate, hard-wired, the result of adaptations made thousands of years ago. It is, in a twisted sort of a way, almost amusing to watch us try to change human nature with a government scheme or the banning of fatty food adverts during Jackanory.
The trick is not to will a change in behaviour, but to change the incentives so as to make it inevitable. For example, in a flush of post-election enthusiasm the coalition are committing to publishing far more details of government expenditure. This should remove the incentive for politicians to dissemble and be evasive about how our money is spent – because the information will already be out there. Therefore there will be more incentive to be frank and admit when their are problems, and address how the problems will be solved. If information is not in the public domain, with the best will in the world politicians will still find it easier to dissemble and evade. Change the incentives, change the behaviour.
As with politics, so with you and me. Do you wish to change your behaviour, how you approach life? I do. Have you tried to do this just by willing your self to do do? I have. Has it worked? It hasn’t worked for me.
I’ve changed my incentives. I’ve given up a day of earning a week and this has forced me to start being productive because otherwise I have reduced my income for nothing. So I’m writing blogs, writing articles, looking for the next opportunity because if I don’t do this I am losing out for no gain. I could do these things in my spare time, in the evening and at weekends. But I have tried this, and for me this does not work. If you keep trying and it doesn’t work – don’t try the same thing again. Same situation, same result. Change your incentives.
Interesting conclusions. I have almost the opposite situation. I freelanced and found that I just could not make enough money to be able to do the things I really want to do like writing.
Then I stumbled on a contract for four days a week (but flexible hours) and now I have one day for myself and 4 days in which I earn enough money. And ironically I get more writing done in less time.
Sounds like we arrived at the same place from opposite directions. Any thoughts as to why your writing is now more efficient?
I do this all the time. Everything either relates to being a woman, motherhood or fashion/style. And upping the stakes on goals like weight loss almost always works for me – special occasions (like my 15th wedding anniv coming up), new desses to wear, etc. That’s why I love this post – the connection between politics and personal motivation. Connections are everywhere…