Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I care about training my willpower and self-discipline?

Discipline affects virtually every aspect of our lives. As humans living in modern society, we are constantly influenced by two opposing forces. The first is our life goals - what we aspire to achieve in the long term and what we believe will bring us lasting happiness and fulfillment.

The second force is largely biological. It's our innate drive to seek pleasure and avoid pain. While these two forces may have aligned 50,000 years ago, when survival and reproduction were paramount, and seeking pleasure or avoiding pain directly supported those goals, they often conflict in modern society. This is precisely why building self-discipline is so crucial. Discipline and willpower are like two paddles helping us navigate against the current of our biological impulses.

For example, let's consider food. A candy bar, loaded with salt, fat, and sugar, can send our brain's pleasure centers into overdrive. Eating candy is extremely enjoyable in the short term. We are wired this way because, hypothetically, if humans stumbled upon a tree full of Snickers bars 100,000 years ago, consuming them would provide a significant survival advantage due to the excess calories, sugar, salt, and fat. However, in today's world, this biological drive can lead to choices that are detrimental to our long-term health and goals (like eating tons of candy).

How do I know whether I should receive 1, 2, or 3 points?

Only you can decide this, as it is entirely subjective, but that’s okay. The subjectivity of this system won’t make the training any less impactful. Here are a few examples from our personal lives to help you understand how we rank 'neuro-nudges' in terms of points:

  • Cold exposure, like cold showers or plunges, may not be your first choice, but the benefits are worth it.

    Similarly, spending 20 minutes reading before bed can improve sleep quality and cognitive function, even if TV seems more appealing.

  • Selecting a salad from the menu at your beloved restaurant. While this choice might appear straightforward to some, for others, like yourself, it signifies a meaningful triumph each time it's made.

  • Waking up early in the morning to exercise before work, even without relying on caffeine beforehand. We understand that this can be a significant challenge, as it has been for many. However, conquering this hurdle can lead to immense personal growth and well-being.

Can I give myself more than 3 nnp’s (neuro-nudge points) for a single task?

We've found that it’s better to be consistent with smaller neuro-nudges than to focus on one activity that really sucks. However, both small and huge challenges have their place in training discipline (as long as it’s safe, obviously). If you are tracking this on your own, feel free to do the point system however you want, and feel free to e-mail us with feedback on what’s working best for you. If you’re using the app, then you are limited to 3 neuro-nudge points (NNPs), but feel free to send us an e-mail if you’d like this to be changed in the app.

Is it better to do one really hard challenge (macro-suck…?), or a few small challenges throughout the day?

We've found that being consistent with smaller tasks is more beneficial than tackling a hugely challenging task that leaves you burnt out the next day or week. However, this is a personal preference, and major crucibles certainly have their place in training discipline.