The Power of the Psychological Immune System

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Harvard University psychologist Dan Gilbert says we're prone to rationalization. We unconsciously switch up our most basic preferences to fit the situations we find ourselves in, so that we end up feeling good about how ever things wound up. His research shows that even when we make a bad decision, it's unlikely our minds will realize that we made a bad decision because our psychological immune systems will be there cushioning the blow. The existence of a psychological immune system should also make us keen to make commitments generally.

YOLO seems like the perfect rock 'n' roll philosophy. You only live once... so do whatever seems right in the moment. Be spontaneous. Quit your job; find a new person to date; and always, always keep your options open.

We all fear getting stuck in the wrong occupation, relationship or home - so shun fully committing to anything. But we're misguided. The man who coined the term YOLO - the Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart - tells Dr Laurie Santos that throwing yourself fully into a life choice is the best way to live our precious life.