More on Immediate Gratification: Does the Long-Term Goal Still Motivate You?
I guess I just didn't want it enough.
I opened my coat closet today – yes, it is officially spring today, even though it is frigid and snowy here in Wisconsin, so I still need a winter coat – and there it was! The knitting project I started when I first met my husband 8 years ago is still unfinished.
The burnt orange super soft yarn inspired me when I first saw it, and the textured pattern of the cardigan design looked like such fun to create. I have not touched the project for about 6 years now, but there is a fine looking back and sleeve completed! I now realize I will never finish the sweater.
Why? Because I don't really like it anymore. The pattern looks frumpy – what was I thinking?! – and the color just simply doesn't excite me as it once did.
As always, I have a message here that applies to your health and weight loss goals. If you don't really want the end result, you have about as much chance of getting it as I have of finishing the blasted sweater sitting in my closet.
Do you still care about reaching your goal – REALLY REALLY CARE?
If not, easy forms of immediate gratification will be more difficult to resist. That donut or cookie will override the weak desire to accomplish your goal, which admittedly may be down the road a bit.
If you still think the goal is important, immediate gratification can sometimes come in the form of pride at each day that small changes continue. The packed lunch or extra trip to the gym become shining moments of short term pleasure.
My half-finished sweater holds none of this allure for me anymore. And as I learned long ago, it won't finish itself! No one really likes a reminder of an unfinished project. I finally put it in the trash.