Cover Photo Credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/Vv5u98EFfWk
We’ve all been there: eating that dreadfully delicious pizza after a bad day, even though we had all the intention in the world to reach our craziest goal of eating healthier.
But what gets me most is a bag of chips.
Perfectly salted crispy potato chips are so incredibly difficult to resist. To make things worst, just yesterday, I went to a restaurant serving healthy food, but dammit, they had to give out a delightful bowl of chips as a free side dish! I swear there was a beam of light pointing to it too!
It was a true test of my will!
I know it sounds stupid, but it was a real challenge! Resisting putting even a single chip in my mouth felt as hard as Kyle Maynard climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Ok, I’m overreacting here, but you get my point.
I did not succumb. I did not want to falter. I had to keep my momentum going!
How did I do it?
Below are some suggestions. I tried to keep them broad enough that it should apply to any crazy goal you have:
Don’t EVER Let It Happen, Not Even Once
Like anything in life, the first time you do something is the hardest. It applies to both good and bad habits, learning new skills and more.
I thought about that principle when resisting to eat the chips.
As the Lay’s slogan says: “betcha can’t eat just one”. They couldn’t be more right. I can’t have just one. Never have been able to! No human or animal can!
Remember The Big Picture
I know it’s cliché, but visualization helps. See the results you know you’ll get by not giving in. In your mind, live the joy it brings you to have achieved your goal.
Visualize the process. See yourself doing the right things. Pretend to enjoy it in your thoughts. This can actually re-wire your brain that way.
I’ve always hated broccoli, until this year. I like it now. Before, when I thought about broccoli, I could feel the bad taste and texture in my mouth. So, I taught my brain that it’s delicious by seeing myself eat it and enjoy it. I eat it every day now.
I saw the big picture. I remembered it was important for my healthy diet.
“When I feel tired, I just think about how great I will feel, once I finally reach my goal.” — Michael Phelps
Make The Stakes High
Wether it’s a reward you can’t imagine yourself living without or a gift to your worst enemy, it doesn’t matter as long as you firmly believe that you have to get or avoid it.
I will not have seen my wife in 3 months by the end of my crazy workout. I want to look great. I want to impress her. I know she loves me the way I am, but why not go from good to great?
I also want to open a store where I will be selling Viking stuff. I need to look like a Viking. I need to be convincing. Would you buy from a skinny-ass Viking? No! You’ll buy from the badass looking Viking. His stuff is more real. It’s better! It’s more believable.
If I don’t gain the mass I don’t set out to gain. I will make less sales. If I make less sales, I can’t afford even my most basic needs. I’m being extreme here, but make your brain believe the stakes are high and motivation will come by itself.
Conclusion
Next time you have a bad day:
Will you go for the pizza?
Will you reach for the bowl of chips in front of you?
Will you risk doing a destructive action towards your goal?
Always remember that the first time you give in opens the door for other times, until you ultimately falter. Don’t ever give in. Be unbeatable!
“At the end of the day, you’ve gotta feel some way. So why not feel unbeatable? Why not feel untouchable?” — Conor McGregor
You can do this!
Thanks for reading! :)