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$tackThatMoney
Iron
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- Aug 16, 2020
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Pursuing your long-term goals, especially at the outset, requires acceptance of your current situation, in addition to the difficult work required to achieve success.
This is why rising to the top 1% in anything, or even just kicking bad habits, is so difficult.
For example, if you're obese, and your goal is to lose excess weight, not only will you have to admit to yourself that you're unhappy with your physique, you can no longer eat unhealthy, dopamine-releasing foods.
Before, you might have been fat, but at least you could chow down on some pizza and beer to cope with it.
Now, you're still unappealing physically, and you don't even get to enjoy the benefits.
The same goes with:
Having a long term focus is extremely tough, which is why those who master it almost always achieve success.
The human tendency to defer to instant gratification is why gambling addicts continue to chase their losses, for example. They might logically know that the casino has an edge, but there is a chance that they could hit it big. This is why spinning the roulette wheel might be a more appealing option for someone in debt than to slowly grind their way to create a successful business/elevate their career prospects.
What Should I Do?
As with many things in life, the solution is simple, but not easy.
If you are in this position, I recommend engaging in two main behaviours.
1 - Visualisation
This is not some manifestation BS, where you do nothing and expect millions to be handed to you. Rather - it is the utilisation of your imagination to motivate you towards your main goal.
This visualisation can be both positive and negative.
Take the example of fitness. If you are overweight and trying to remedy the situation, take some time each day (doesn't have to be more than 10 minutes), to:
2 - Accountability
Having an accountability partner/group to keep you in check minimises the need for willpower.
My friend and I are both trying to quit smoking cigarettes. On two nights where we socialised with other friends, we wagered one another $100 that we wouldn't smoke a cigarette. That is, if he smoked and I didn't, I would get $100, and vice versa.
This removed all willpower from the situation. There were points where I had cravings - and then promptly remembered our bet. At that point it was no longer a decision - it wasn't worth the money to me (in addition to the negative health effects), so I didn't smoke.
//
If anyone could use any accountability, feel free to reach out.
As always, if you're reading this, I wish you every success. Life is difficult, but engaging in certain behaviours can make it easier and more enjoyable.
This is why rising to the top 1% in anything, or even just kicking bad habits, is so difficult.
For example, if you're obese, and your goal is to lose excess weight, not only will you have to admit to yourself that you're unhappy with your physique, you can no longer eat unhealthy, dopamine-releasing foods.
Before, you might have been fat, but at least you could chow down on some pizza and beer to cope with it.
Now, you're still unappealing physically, and you don't even get to enjoy the benefits.
The same goes with:
- Quitting smoking - you still have damaged lungs, and (likely) cough frequently, but now you don't even get to satisfy your nicotine cravings/look cool
- Socialising (if non-NT) - you're still uncalibrated, but now you're putting yourself in situations where you can/will feel judged, and feel uncomfortable (as opposed to staying at home on Looksmax/playing video games etc.)
- Building a business - you're still underperforming financially, but now you can no longer distract yourself with the cope 'money doesn't matter' and engage in futile leisure (Netflix, drug use)
Having a long term focus is extremely tough, which is why those who master it almost always achieve success.
The human tendency to defer to instant gratification is why gambling addicts continue to chase their losses, for example. They might logically know that the casino has an edge, but there is a chance that they could hit it big. This is why spinning the roulette wheel might be a more appealing option for someone in debt than to slowly grind their way to create a successful business/elevate their career prospects.
What Should I Do?
As with many things in life, the solution is simple, but not easy.
If you are in this position, I recommend engaging in two main behaviours.
1 - Visualisation
This is not some manifestation BS, where you do nothing and expect millions to be handed to you. Rather - it is the utilisation of your imagination to motivate you towards your main goal.
This visualisation can be both positive and negative.
Take the example of fitness. If you are overweight and trying to remedy the situation, take some time each day (doesn't have to be more than 10 minutes), to:
- Remember situations where people belittled you for your weight, opportunities you missed, etc. (negative motivation - using your anger as a tool)
- Imagine yourself transformed - the amazing new benefits you would experience - both generally (positive - looking better, feeling healthier), and proving those who previously mistreated you wrong (negative motivation - the pursuit of an ultimate 'fuck you' - more powerful than words could ever be)
2 - Accountability
Having an accountability partner/group to keep you in check minimises the need for willpower.
My friend and I are both trying to quit smoking cigarettes. On two nights where we socialised with other friends, we wagered one another $100 that we wouldn't smoke a cigarette. That is, if he smoked and I didn't, I would get $100, and vice versa.
This removed all willpower from the situation. There were points where I had cravings - and then promptly remembered our bet. At that point it was no longer a decision - it wasn't worth the money to me (in addition to the negative health effects), so I didn't smoke.
//
If anyone could use any accountability, feel free to reach out.
As always, if you're reading this, I wish you every success. Life is difficult, but engaging in certain behaviours can make it easier and more enjoyable.
