Dumb question: have you ever seen a Reel or a Short? Most likely you’ve seen hundreds of them.
I’m sure I have.
They’re a great way to turn your brain off and relax by having a laugh or seeing a cool clip from a recent movie.
The problem is… These short videos can become the solution for not having to face difficult moments or challenges.
You’re having a hard time coming up with the essay you’re supposed to do for tomorrow.
You should train in the gym, you said to yourself you will have that important conversation with your partner.
Then you say to yourself “Ok I’ll just watch a Reel or two” and end up spending an hour watching whatever.
You might feel relaxed and carefree at first, but deep down you know you lost time and an opportunity.
If this never happened to you you’re good, but if this is a problem you are facing. If this keeps happening over and over again and you just can’t seem to stop.
RRT (which is just a shorter way of saying Real Reel Technique) is what can get you out of this.
We clearly like Reels, so why not use them FOR us, instead of against us?
The Problem (with a capital P).
Let’s first examine why we “love” these videos.
After all, trying to solve a problem without understanding it is like trying to find your way out of a maze without a map.
You know you want to escape, but without seeing the bigger picture, you’re just wandering aimlessly.
These short videos can be a powerful resource, the problem lies in our use of them.
They work well in transporting us to other realities. Lots of them. Making us forget our own.
And that is fun. At least for a part of your brain.
They became a tool to escape from the difficult situations in our lives.
It’s fun to see a beautiful quote said by a motivational speaker.
To watch cats do crazy stuff, or to visit beautiful places from the screen of a phone.
But what can we take into our real life after? Is it all just food for our brains?
Is it all just an excuse for not wanting to face hard or boring situations?
“This needs to stop.”
I’ve had that thought so many times… Just to find myself scrolling again the day after.
I would open my phone and enter my favorite app without thinking. Like a robot.
In my free time, during breaks at work, while waiting for the bus, the list is endless.
The one thing in common between these situations was that I was trying to escape from something.
So I thought “If I like Reels so much, what can I use about them?”
What’s this thing?
That’s when I came up with RRT. As I said it stands for Real Reel Technique, but what does this mean exactly?
It’s a very easy method to apply to get rid of this “short video addiction” by creating your reels with the most powerful computer on Earth. Your mind.
We are often so excited about the latest technological miracle that we forget that we have an amazing machine with us all the time. Or I should say IN us.
Rather than waiting for a moment of stress or procrastination to seek a digital escape, prepare ahead.
Create a mental reel that holds profound personal significance. To you.
For example, visualize a past moment of triumph, like enduring a grueling training session.
Feel the sweat, the exhaustion, and the ultimate rush of achievement.
Or imagine a loved one who depends on you, their face, their voice, the sense of responsibility you feel towards them.
This mental reel isn’t just a distraction; it’s a big box of strength and purpose.
When you find yourself reaching for your phone to watch a short video, you can instead tap into YOUR reel.
You remember that sense of achievement or responsibility, channeling it into the task at hand or the challenge you’re facing.
By doing so, you transform a moment of potential weakness into one of empowerment.
Your ‘Real Reel’ acts as a reminder of what truly motivates you, pulling you back from mindless scrolling to a state of focused, purpose-driven action.
The Benefits.
“But Michele, what do I get out of all this hassle?” I know some of you might still think that after everything I’ve told you.
So let me make it crystal clear for you.
First, you start to play your own life in your head and not somebody else’s.
I know it’s fun to see The Rock in the gym, but you won’t get stronger by watching him.
He’s getting ahead while you are on your phone.
Sure it’s fine to look for motivations in others. Sometimes.
If you look for motivation for hours on end, then it’s a problem.
Second, you train yourself to not run from difficult situations and face them instead.
Who knows, you might even achieve some of the “I’ll start this tomorrow” goals…
Third, it stops you from scrolling. Which is bad because not only does it constantly give you dopamine, so that you feel “happy” all the time.
But it also damages your attention span. Ever wondered why you can’t focus when somebody is talking for more than 30 seconds?
Understanding these benefits sets the stage for how you can implement RRT in your life.
Let’s see how to do it.
How to ACTUALLY do it.
Find a moment that can be in your past or your future that inspires you with a strong emotion, a sense of duty, that gives you purpose.
Then you take a short piece of this strong experience and play it in your mind.
It’s not enough to imagine a general situation.
You must picture in your mind the exact number of people involved.
Their expressions. Their emotional state.
Make it as detailed as possible.
Also, keep it short. 10-15 seconds are all you need, exactly like a reel.
You can create multiple shorts like this based on various moments.
Then the key is to remember to play these anytime you need.
Do you have to finish an important but very tedious task? “Play” the reel and get it done.
Are you on your last set at the gym and want to quit? “Play” the reel and get it done.
Did you fight with your partner and you know you should talk it out? “Play” the reel and get it done.
The possible applications of this are endless.
The Three Ks.
Now it’s crucial to remember three things when doing this.
I call it the “Three Ks Rule”.
Keep it simple. Keep it short. Keep it real.
This technique is not meant to find another way to escape reality.
It should be a tool to keep you more connected to your own story. A short and impactful message to yourself.
Like a punch straight in your face.
Punch yourself in the face with something that matters to you, and wake up.
It’s not through endlessly scrolling that you’ll get anywhere.
You need to remember what is truly important to you, to keep moving forward.
Let’s wrap this up.
In essence, the Real Reel Technique (RRT) is more than just a method to break free from the cycle of endless scrolling.
It’s a journey towards self-empowerment, focus, and realizing the power within your mind.
RRT helps you shift focus from just watching videos to going after what matters to you.
It’s a way to not just get by, but to do well in facing life’s ups and downs.
Why not give RRT a try and see how it changes your game?
Drop a comment with your experiences or thoughts – I’d love to hear how it goes for you.
Until next time,
Michele Grazzi
The ‘S’Word Master