The ultimate mindf*ck (and the truth behind it)

I don’t know about you but I personally think this is the ultimate mindfuck.

Pardon my language. But it’s true….

Ever wanted something so bad you couldn’t stop thinking about it, you were obsessing over it, analyzing it, strategizing, stuck in “if this, then that” loops in your head?

But it just. Wouldn’t. Happen.

As hard as you tried, pulled out all the tricks - nada.

It’s almost like you were pushing it away by focusing on it so much.

There’s a name for that…

It’s called the watched pot syndrome.

Ya know, from the saying, “A watched kettle doesn’t boil?”

Not sure that’s the wording, whatever, you get it.

Funny, though, how these old sayings somehow boil over (pun proudly intended) into modern times but are rooted in a real physical law that’s only been scientifically described in 1977.

Specifically, the Quantum Zeno Effect…

(No, this is not something regular people know. I did some research, don’t worry).

Ok so what is it and why should I care?

Glad you asked.

It states that a quantum system can be prevented from changing its state if it is measured continuously or extremely frequently.

And sure, yes AI “warned” me that this effect refers to quantum systems only and cannot be applied to everyday life…

To which my brain went:

Ok so let me get this straight….

There is a saying “a watched pot never boils” (that’s what it actually is, now I looked it up because I needed more information) whose origins can be traced back to the mid-17th century and then roughly 200 years later (!!) someone shows up and scientifically measures a process proving pretty much what this saying has been indicating all along?

But “the Quantum Zeno Effect is strictly a measurement phenomenon in quantum mechanics.”

Suuuure…

You know “why it can’t be applied” to everyday things?

BECAUSE WE DON’T BELIEVE IN INTUITION IN THIS SOCIETY, BUT I HATE TO BREAK IT TO YOU, IT IS REAL. ALRIGHT?

Ok that was my rant.

It’s over now.

What do we take from this?

No, not that we should now all believe that if you stare at a pot of water on the stove it won’t ever boil, obviously….but that:

A. Just because science hasn’t proved something yet, it doesn’t mean it’s not true because there may just be a lot of knowledge in old sayings that we simply haven’t scientifically discovered yet.

However that’s not the important point, the important point is:

B. Your focus (obsession) over something may very well impact that very thing.

Remember when you were learning how to drive and your instructor told you to look where you want to go not where you don’t want to go?

Or maybe you (like me) grew up skiing and were afraid to hit a tree so you kept looking at the trees until you then, of course, one day hit one.

But you want to know the mind-blowing thing?

I wasn’t afraid of the tree (if you know nothing about me just know this: I love trees, I think we all should…but again, not the point), I was afraid of crashing.

I was afraid.

So where was my focus?

Exactly.

It was on the fear.

So back to this whole watching water boil situation.

It’s not about the kettle or the pot or the water…

It’s about…

Ready?

The relationship you have to the kettle or the pot or the water.

That thing you really want, how do you feel about it?

Is there tension?

Judgment?

Fear?

In my coaching and even in my yoga classes I invite people to observe things within them all the time. ALL THE TIME. It’s not about the “watching” aka observing of a thing.

It’s about whether or not you can accept (and let go - but that’s a whole other thing I know, I’ve written about that too...) the emotion tied to the thing you want.

That’s where your work is.

In other words, it’s not about just looking away from the kettle, it’s about knowing it’s there and letting it do its thing so that you can pour yourself some tea.

And if now you’re like - yeah but how???

Let’s chat, I just may have an idea or two on where you can start, book a discovery call HERE.

Love,

Mel

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P.S. All my newsletters are written by me, not AI (so please flag the typos).

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P.P.S. If you're ready to explore working together - book a discovery call HERE