I Just Can't Even: Scarcity and Hyperfocus

Generosity is all well and good, but what if we just can’t?  What if there’s too much being asked of us and all we can see what we’re not doing?  What if there’s no more left to give?  What if we believe that resources are limited and there’s not enough to go around?

While I was losing it and repainting my house I listened to a bunch of audiobooks, one of which was Scarcity by Sendir Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir.  It was so good.  They explored how our brains work differently when we perceive scarcity, especially how consistently our thought patterns were affected, even if the type of scarcity was different.  They looked at studies of starving people, people living in poverty, and people who are overworked.  They even explored loneliness and the scarcity of connections.  They examined real world examples and lab tests where participants were given games with various constraints. 

Again and again, a pattern emerged.  When we feel like we don’t have enough of something, our brains start to hyperfocus on it.  In some ways, that’s good.  Poor people know exactly how much things cost.  Overworked people get very good at using time efficiently.  Hungry people eat what’s in front of them. 

But it’s bad for connection and it’s bad for long term decision making.  Our brains literally stop being able to plan beyond the current moment.  We stop weighing alternatives appropriately.  And we can’t exercise willpower.  Scarcity changes how we think, no matter who we are.  We literally can’t start thinking differently (hence why education to impoverished people does nothing.  It’s not the people; it’s the poverty.)

As I was listening to this, I kept thinking of the time scarcity I am constantly battling.  I never have enough time for my to do list.  At least ¼ of the items get carried over from week to week.  And the energy scarcity I have where I just don’t have it in me to keep caring after a long day, right in time for homework and bedtime.  I hyperfocus on how to get more done in less time and how to keep my energy up and not lose patience.  But it’s a losing battle, because my brain isn’t making good decisions.  Running around like a chicken with her head cut off does not lend itself to prioritizing my to do list.  Taking deep breaths while feeling my blood pressure go up isn’t getting to the root of the problem.

So what’s the solution?  The book had a clear answer:  buffers.  Build in buffers.  Leave an hour free each day – it will fill up and you will do just as much as you would have but be calmer for it.  Try to achieve less when you have less energy – you’ll accomplish just as much as you were but be happier.  Take the extra $10 out of your paycheck and hide it from yourself.  Having a backup will help your brain make better choices.

What are your struggles with scarcity?  How can you build in buffers?