🎈(#13) The Unspoken Battle

Read Time: 4 Minutes

Message from the author:

Just expressing my thoughts and ideas in this issue.

Knowing the powers at play here, it can definitely influence even the strongest of minds.

Post my holiday now and wanting to explore some new perspectives on a few topics. Not to influence, more to spark questions or raise awareness.

Topics such as this one also challenges my creativity and writing. If you know me, you know I prefer to lean into the challenge and learn from it.

Let me know your thoughts 😀 

Ever purchased and consumed food without thought?

Or said… why did I even buy that? I wasn’t even hungry.

The fast-food industry is not exempt from the branding & marketing strategies that lure consumers towards delicious foods.

It’s not just about the food.

Just as your favorite fashion brand or tech company has a strategy to market towards consumers… so does your fave fast-food joints.

Do you still have a chance to make a choice though?

Yes, you do!

The problem isn’t the companies.

It is our awareness to what is going on and the subconscious messaging influencing our connection and decisions.

Without awareness and building the knowledge, we leave ourselves susceptible to cave into the temptations.

If you feel you have your urges in check, feel free to drop off here.

If you find yourself picking up a burger, deep fried foods or sweets more often than you would like, stick with me on this one.

Love me some branding

Before we move on… I need to be honest with you.

I actually love the branding and marketing side of business.

I am by no means an expert, but I appreciate the thought process, strategy and tactics that sit behind a product.

How a brand looks, feels and communicates a product in such a way that can influence the mind of an individual towards handing over their hard-earned cash is an art.

Unpopular opinion? Maybe…

But that is the reality of the world we live in.

Brands aim to build trust, regardless of whether it is good for you or not.

Understanding the rules at play will help you to navigate the UNSPOKEN BATTLE going on around you.

We live in a day and age where convenience, short attention spans and comfort is becoming the norm.

Companies, even fast food and service companies, understand this and aim to solve your problems.

Had a bad day? … they got you!

Don’t have time to cook? … they got you!

Had a big night and craving greasy food? … they got you!

Geez… even when you're on a strong health journey, the temptations can make it difficult to say no.

Comfort me

I have discussed this a few times (read here: Issue # 3) and without going into details, comfort foods and I have some history.

Over the years I have been on and off with my health goals. Lately though (the last six months of 2023) I am the healthiest version of myself.

Nearing the age of 39 in a few weeks, I am consistently aiming towards improving and being 1% better week by week.

The one thing I do notice now when it comes to food…

The branded messaging still has some pull.

Have I caved into the temptation?

I definitely have and I loved it haha

The difference now is my awareness of what is going on. I know when the pull towards a craving or certain food is occurring, I then make a conscious choice to let it in or to fight it off.

Just recently I was standing in a line to get some food for my daughter, just after I had eaten.

Right next to me was a sign that said…

“TWO THICKSHAKES FOR $10”

My first thought was… wow what a bargain.

My second thought was… yum! I could go two choc shakes right now.

I was definitely full and there was no need to consume two shakes, but the pull almost got me.

I chose to not buy the shakes, but then and there sparked a thought.

I wondered how many people are in autopilot and get swept up in these moments and can indulge without even thinking.

And if it happens once, how often is it happening over time?

Maybe it’s not a lot or maybe it is happening more often than we think.

Ba da ba ba ba... I’m lovin’ it

Did you just sing that in your head?

When you read this heading… what brand popped in your mind?

Was it the Golden Arches?

That’s branding & marketing.

This brand sells enjoyment, consistency and a place for families of all ages to enjoy food.

Their mission:

To make delicious feel-good moments easy for everyone

You know that if you go to any one of their restaurants, in any city across the world, that you are guaranteed a certain taste and a certain feel.

That is the comfort of consistency.

What about an app that is used to order food…

Starts with a U and ends in EATS… What do you think they sell?

It’s time and convenience.

When we use this app, we agree to pay a certain fee in order to not leave the comfort of our house.

You know that at any moment and at the touch of your fingertips is a nice selection of food waiting for you.

That’s the comfort of convenience.

Whilst this is only two short examples, there is many more out here.

I am just wanting to quickly highlight that there is more going on than just food and if you are not prepared you can be influenced more than you think.

Armour up

This isn’t a bashing on companies and their branding & marketing tactics to influence our decisions.

Nor is this an article to make you feel guilty for indulging in comfort foods.

This is about understanding and raising awareness to what I call the UNSPOKEN BATTLE and what you can do to better prepare yourself to stay consistent with your goals more often than not.

It’s time to armour up!!

It’s time to make conscious choices and avoid those autopilot decisions.

4 tips from me:

1. Know the rules. Understanding the rules of the game will better prepare you in day-to-day situations when it comes to food choices.

2. Be conscious. Don’t let the subconscious autopilot make your decisions. That is where the “Two Thickshakes for $10” will get you. Take a step back when making your choice and do it because you actually want to.

3. Observe how you feel. Make note of how you are feeling when you choose to indulge. Most times there is some sort of emotion driving your decision. You can keep mental note of this over time and get to know your inner root cause that guides you to those choices.

4. Fight temptation. At times, fight the urge and challenge yourself. It will feel uncomfortable, but you will learn and grow from it. Even the small moments help you grow. If you have enough small wins over time, you’ll start to notice a change.

Short and sweet.

I hadn’t planned to write this topic initially, but I felt the need to speak on my observations and share my thoughts.

There is learning in every situation and this is one of them. At times I observe with curiosity.

That’s what sparked this thought and idea around whether we have a choice or not.

Companies are aware of what is happening and will take the discomfort away from us.

The discomfort is what we actually need to process and work through ourselves in order to grow as humans.

Just ponder on that thought fam. Nothing grows in the comfort zone.

Have a great week.

JC