I noticed a long time ago that my work tends to follow themes. I will use a concept in many sessions throughout the week because it works in varying situations. Then the next week, a new concept dominates some sessions. Its like a therapeutic word of the day.

So this week, I've fallen back with my old friend, Anchor and Adjustment. I loved this concept back in college; though I learned about it solely from a financial standpoint, not its basis in cognitive biases.

The idea revolves around the expectations we place when a value is presented. So if I tell someone it takes three weeks to lose 10 pounds of weight, they are "anchored" to that 3 weeks. It doesnt reflect on different body types, or exercise regimen and style, just those 3 weeks.

I often warn people about anchors, because they subdue conversations that people can have on what progress truly is. When working with infidelity, the guilty party will often say "how long until you get over it?" To them, they want it done ASAP, for obvious reasons. But to the victim, they are now rushed, and now feel pressure and failure in not getting over it. And when the guilty party says "its been two months, why are we still at it?", thats the worst kind of anchor for both parties.