Introduction to the tfar system

Thoughts lead to Feelings, which lead to Actions, which lead to Outcomes

The TFAR model is a very useful cognitive-behavioral framework for understanding how we create our reality.

The sequence is simple but powerful: our Thoughts (or the interpretations we make of events) generate our Feelings. These Feelings, in turn, drive our Actions.

And our Actions are what, ultimately, produce our Outcomes.

The Common Mistake: Focusing Only on Actions and Outcomes

When people want to change something in their lives, such as losing weight or becoming more productive, they often focus only on the last two links in the chain: Actions and Outcomes.

They focus on ''what do I have to do'' to get ''what I want to achieve''. This approach is incomplete and is often the reason many resolutions fail.

Emotional Dissonance as a Cause of Goal Failure

If we try to force an action that is not aligned with our thoughts and feelings, dissonance occurs.

For example, if we try to read a chapter a day (action) to become more educated (outcome), but our thoughts are "this is boring" and our feelings are of boredom, our willpower will quickly deplete.

The Importance of Aligning the Four Components

True sustainable change happens when all four components of the TFAR model are aligned. To get a desired outcome, we need to take the right actions.

But to be able to consistently take those actions, we need to feel in a way that supports them. And to feel that way, we need to cultivate the right thoughts.

Summary

The TFAR model shows how our thoughts generate feelings, which