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Why Does Spencer Greenberg Swap Phone Scrolling for Documentaries?

at 1:03:20

From the episode: The Only 12 Lessons Buried In Every Self-Help Book - Spencer Greenberg - #1161

Spencer Greenberg calls them glad you did it activities. Afterwards, you are glad you did the activity. People often scroll on a phone or watch too much television instead. Replacing all downtime with something productive denies your own needs. Coming home from work tired means you need to relax, which is why the phone scroll happens. Swapping the scroll for more work denies the need to relax, and Spencer Greenberg says it is not a very healthy thing to do.

Spencer Greenberg loves documentaries and still has many unseen. Instead of doing whatever bullshit to relax, Spencer Greenberg pulls up a documentary long wanted. Watching it feels like a meaningful use of time. The documentary stays memorable for years and gives something to discuss with people. The point is meeting existing needs in ways that give more benefit in the long term.

Chris Williamson calls the switch probably a favorite from the book. He says a glad you did it activity is not only something you enjoy in the moment. It is also the story you tell yourself about what you did and about being the sort of person who does that sort of thing. What you do with your time is the pebble at the top of the avalanche. Habits, fears, story, narrative, and identity fall downstream from one switch, like going for a walk with the dog instead of lying on the couch.

Modern Wisdom · The Only 12 Lessons Buried In Every Self-Help Book - Spencer Greenberg - #1161 · at 1:03:20 · ·Transcript

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