How I Tricked My Brain To Like Doing Hard Things (dopamine detox) - The Art of the User Interview

How I Tricked My Brain To Like Doing Hard Things (dopamine detox) - The Art of the User Interview

In today's society, we are constantly bombarded with activities that provide us with instant gratification. From scrolling through social media websites to playing video games or watching internet pornography, our brains have become accustomed to seeking out high dopamine behaviors. Dopamine is what makes us desire things, and our brain develops priorities based on how much dopamine it expects to receive.

However, there is a downside to this constant pursuit of instant gratification. Our bodies try to maintain homeostasis and down-regulate our dopamine receptors, making it more difficult to find pleasure in activities that require effort and hard work. This is not just limited to drug addicts, but also applies to those addicted to video games, social media, or internet pornography.

So, how do we break free from this cycle and learn to enjoy doing hard things? One method that has gained popularity is the dopamine detox. This involves refraining from high dopamine behaviors for a whole day, such as using the internet or technology, listening to music, or indulging in junk food. Instead, you meditate and spend time alone with your thoughts, reflecting on your life and goals.

The idea behind the dopamine detox is that by becoming bored and eliminating the stimulation from high dopamine activities, we can begin to find enjoyment in the mundane and less stimulating tasks. Boredom becomes the driving force that propels us to do other things on that day.

But how can we apply this concept to our everyday lives? One approach is to pick one day of the week where we refrain from one of our high dopamine behaviors completely. This day becomes an opportunity to explore different activities and pursue things that actually give us long-term benefits. By using our current high dopamine activities as incentives, we can motivate ourselves to engage in the low dopamine work that is necessary for achieving our goals.

In addition to the dopamine detox, another useful tool for understanding our users and customers is the art of the user interview. When conducting user interviews, it is important to be prepared and have a discussion guide. It is recommended to keep questions under 20 words to ensure that interviewees can retain the information in their short-term memory.

During the interview, there are several things that we should do to make the interview process more effective. Firstly, we need to put ourselves in the right mindset and provide a warm welcome to the interviewees. Building an arc in the conversation helps to create a flow and make the interviewee feel comfortable. It is also important to explain that there are no right or wrong answers and start off with easy questions to ease into the interview.

Asking interviewees about specific moments in the past, referencing real-life examples, can provide valuable insights. Follow-up questions are crucial in digging deeper and getting more detailed responses. Open-ended questions should be prioritized, allowing interviewees to share their thoughts and experiences freely. Asking for extremes can also be powerful in bringing memories flooding back.

Observing behavior during the interview can provide additional insights. When in doubt, it is important to clarify any uncertainties. Keeping an eye on the time helps to ensure that the interview stays on track. Minimizing note-taking allows for better engagement with the interviewee, and watching out for non-verbal clues can provide valuable information.

However, there are also things that we should avoid when conducting user interviews. Leading questions can bias the responses, so it is important to ask neutral questions. It is also important to resist the urge to fill the silence and allow the interviewee to gather their thoughts. Drawing attention to specific issues or asking if they would buy your product can also lead to biased responses.

As interviewers, we should resist the urge to answer the user's questions or express our own opinions. The purpose of the interview is to gather insights from the interviewee, not to educate or judge them. By maintaining a neutral stance, we can create a safe space for open and honest responses.

In conclusion, both the dopamine detox and the art of the user interview offer valuable insights into understanding ourselves and our users better. By refraining from high dopamine behaviors and finding enjoyment in low dopamine activities, we can trick our brain into liking doing hard things. Similarly, by conducting effective user interviews and asking the right questions, we can gather valuable insights and make informed decisions.

Actionable advice:

1. Implement a weekly dopamine detox day where you refrain from one of your high dopamine behaviors completely. Use this day to explore new activities and pursue tasks that align with your long-term goals.

2. When conducting user interviews, prioritize open-ended questions and ask for specific moments or real-life examples. This will help to gather more detailed and insightful responses.

3. Avoid leading questions, filling the silence, and expressing your own opinions during user interviews. Create a safe and neutral space for interviewees to share their thoughts and experiences.

Remember, the choice is yours. Will you continue seeking instant gratification or will you find pleasure in doing hard things and understanding your users better?