Ego depletion

[darkemeralds]

There's a psycho-physical phenomenon called ego depletion which, brain scientists speculate, is caused by over-use of the will. It happens when you have to concentrate on something, or control your reactions, or generally over-apply your conscious mind.

I'm paraphrasing a bit. Anyway, people seem to have a tank of this mental willpower stuff, and ego depletion is when the tank runs dry. When that happens, you don't have much will to spare for the next thing that requires it--like making a decision, resisting temptation, or controlling your temper.



My job goes against the grain of my personality and talents, so doing it every day has been causing me chronic ego depletion for a couple of years now. (This might be the most rational argument I've ever heard for seeking work you enjoy.)

Some studies suggest that it's possible to increase the capacity of your ego tank, kind of like building a muscle through exercise.

In an effort to survive the next couple of years at work with my retirement prospects intact, I've decided to make a two-pronged attack on ego depletion: expanding my capacity and limiting my exposure.

To expand my capacity, I've been breaking the enormous, compressed backlog of work into small bits that I can stand to focus on, then focusing on them exclusively for a few minutes longer than I'm comfortable with. Then I dole distractions out like dog biscuits in reward for good-dog behavior. I actually have mini-breaks scheduled in a special Google calendar. "Stand up. Get water." "Check personal email." "Go outside." "Online shopping."

To limit my exposure to ego depletion, I'm trying to control interruptions (for instance by logging out of email and turning off my phone). I'm on the lookout for ways to pass brain teasers that I can't handle on to people who can.

As a result, I've been measurably more productive this week but my brain is kind of sore. When I left the office late Thursday to find my bike in the garage with a flat rear tire, I almost cried. I got home by bus and ate pretty much all the cookies (gluten free lime shortbread, if you're curious) and quite a bit of the Turkish Delight that Amazon sent me, even though I'm not a huge fan of gummy sweets. "GLUCOSE! GLUCOSE!" cried my tired, metabolically-expensive, big human brain.

Then yesterday I slacked off a bit--got my tire fixed, went out to breakfast, had conversations with coworkers, did tasks I like--and lo and behold, sugar and overeating weren't a problem.

I expect incremental improvement on the job, and some lasting advantage in terms of brain function. Chances are I'm going to live quite a long time yet, and I'd like to be awake for it. But it's really hard work, this business of self-management.

Comments

[nwhepcat]

Interesting! This may explain why trying to make diet and exercising changes at once don't work well for me, or swearing off swearing and sugar at the same time don't work.

[darkemeralds]

I think you may be exactly right. I've found this concept of ego depletion very useful in breaking the stranglehold that moral judgment has had over the whole issue of self-improvement.

If there's a physiological (and probably genetic) explanation for my more ambitious failures, then I can forgive myself. And even more importantly, I can make more realistic choices. Then I actually have a chance of success and improvement.

Now that I'm thinking about it, it makes perfect sense that my job would kind of go to hell in a year where I actually succeeded in losing three-quarters of my excess weight. Now the trick is to repair the job and not regain the weight!

[ruric]

Iteresting concept and certainly one I can idtify with - especially on the work front!

[darkemeralds]

I'm finding it really useful--gets me away from moral self-judgment about things like "not a hard worker". I don't feel nearly so guilty. It's amazing how much energy can get tied up in things like guilt.

[ranunculus]

Makes me wonder how many dyslexic kids act out to relieve the pressure of concentration.

[darkemeralds]

Wow, you're right--that's a really interesting point.

[karen_jk]

This is so very helpful and smart!

I'm honoured to know you.

[darkemeralds]

I'm glad it's helpful, and the honor is mutual!

[tehomet]

Have to say, I agree that decision fatigue (or ego depletion) is extremely knackering. I routinely stick simple non-decision-making items like 'drink tea' or 'water plants' or 'check postbox' in at intervals on my To-Do list and it does help. I met a senior citizen lady when I was on my first backpacking trip; she told me that when she was travelling, she liked to go see a movie occasionally to recharge her batteries, as it was 'two hours when you don't have to make a decision.'

[darkemeralds]

That's brilliant! Well, both strategies are brilliant--yours, and the senior backpacking lady's.

I'd like to make these kinds of schedule insertions consciously and deliberately, rather than being at the mercy of the television when I've failed to manage my own ego depletion.

"Drink Tea" sounds especially appealing right about now. :D

[tehomet]

BTW, did I mention my new toy: workflowy?

[darkemeralds]

No! But I just started using it myself! I've had an account for a few months, and this latest bout of work-improvement effort prompted me to put it to use. It's deceptively simple, isn't it? I haven't begun to exploit its capabilities yet.

I'm also crazy about Evernote--though I love it so much that I kind of hate to pollute it with work-related stuff. My Evernotes are full of knitting and story ideas and shopping lists and fun things.

Don't you just love the internet?

[tehomet]

Ooh, shiny Evernotes! TYVM!

And yeah, I do love the internet with all my little geeky heart. :)

[darkemeralds]

Evernote is my new best friend. It's one of those very rare internet services that I'd be willing to pay money for. Little by little, my whole life is moving there.

[tehomet]

PS More in reference to your last post than this one but: I saw this article and thought of you! :)

[darkemeralds]

Today you are the messenger of the universe! I feel very galvanized by Amanda Hocking's story, which I wasn't familiar with until this hour. Thank you! Very exciting stuff!

[tehomet]

*beams*