Tetris

Mom probably thought I was wasting my time while I was playing Game Boy Tetris as a kid.

But in the hours I spent staring at the screen, I forged neural pathways in my brain that created strong associations between being in a state of quick, responsive focus, and the Tetris music.

Now when my morning alarm plays that music, I experience a deeply engrained Pavlovian response where I immediately spring out of bed, analyze my surroundings, and move efficiently onto all the things I need to do that day. I’d also say that I experience an irrepressible urge to organize things, but that’s stretching the truth a bit.

Now I’m looking for other Pavlovian responses I’ve unintentionally developed throughout my life that I can hack into other behaviors I want to encourage.

I love life.