There is a theme to sustainable success no matter what type of success you’re talking about…it could be weight loss, career, education, sports, financial etc.
In the short term push ups don’t really feel that good, but the long term benefit is worth it!And that theme seems to be short vs long term thinking. I view it as the simplest expression of the underlying theme to all of these more commonly heard concepts including:
Delayed Gratification – This one is big for diet, fitness and weight loss and investing/saving money
Keeping your eye on the prize – commonly used in sports
Seeing something through to completion – finishing a college degree or major project
There are many other ways to say it, but the point remains that in order to accomplish any sort of goal there is a psychological and emotional tension/struggle between your short term thoughts and desires vs your long term thoughts and desires.
When it comes to diet and fitness, the struggle is always between the short term satisfaction of food, or rest/leisure vs working. In order to get to a diet and fitness goal you have to pass on some sort term satisfaction. This is much easier said than done.
If you’re trying to lose weight then each time you’re going to take an action related to food or exercise ask yourself if you’re thinking in the short term or the long term.
For example: There is a piece of cheesecake right in front of me and in the short term it would be wonderful to eat it, but in the long term I’ll probably regret it and it will take me away from my diet and fitness goals.
It’s not easy, but you should try to get your mind out of your short term thinking and into your long term thinking as often as possible if you expect to make a lasting change in your body.
John
