our brain regions automatically sense and assess how much…
Page 75 keyword conscious our brain regions automatically sense and assess how much effort a task requires, what the outcome is and, crucially, combines them both to decide is it worth it? Sometimes the brain is so sensitive to wasting effort that will actively try to prevent it, even going so far as to alter our thinking and behavior. This is an important concept. Our very perception is altered to avoid unnecessary effort. Our consciousness, our view of the world, is subtly changed to avoid pointless hard work. Evidence suggests that the brain does this worryingly often.
— from The Instruments (Awareness/Perception/Expectations)