You can experience your future right now!
I’m not talking about you getting in a DeLorean, like Marty McFly, and blasting through time. Don’t get me wrong. I love time travel movies and TV shows.
What I’m talking about is your real future . . . at least your real potential future. And what I’m talking about is a whole lot more useful than Science Fiction.
It began a few months ago.
I’ve been eating too much sugar this winter. It started with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Oh . . . those deserts were good! I opened the door and the cravings continued. I kept giving in. Those deserts are so good!
And then I had a couple of weeks working out of town. I ended up eating what was quick and easy rather than what was good for me.
Consequently, I picked up some extra pounds. And I felt bloated and sluggish.
Two weeks ago, I decided I needed to take strong measures.
I quit eating sweets. And I made sure to eat healthy. After a few days, I got my zip back. (But the extra pounds will take a bit longer.)
This week, Brenda, my wife, set out the “new” flavor of M&Ms she bought. I felt that familiar urge to grab a handful . . . but I only ate two.
I didn’t use willpower!
You see, I know not to argue with my cravings. My logic and willpower are too weak. The cravings always win. I can say, “I don’t want to . . .” But I end up doing it anyway.
But I’ve learned how to fight back when my cravings grab me!
Here’s the secret weapon I use.
I grab power from the future!
Here’s the thing. I know how regret feels.
So I look at what I crave and imagine how I’m going to feel afterwards.
You know what it’s like to fight your cravings. You know you’re going to feel miserable later. But knowing it and feeling it are two different things.
Here’s my secret weapon to beat back the cravings.
I focus on the future feeling that I know is coming if I give in. I make that feeling of regret real. I use my imagination to create the emotion and make it as strong as possible.
You see, your craving is tempting you with pleasure. You don’t crave what feels bad. And, even when your mind tells you that regret and misery are on the other side, you still give in and go for feeling good right now.
But you can change your “I wish I hadn’t done that” into “I’m not going to do that.”
You can’t change your emotions using logic.
You have to use an opposite feeling if you want to change a feeling.
Yes, pulling from your future and feeling regret right NOW makes you feel bad. You need more than logic and arguments. Only real feelings are going to kill the desire for what you’re craving. And the stronger you can feel it the easier it is to resist the temptation.
Feeling bad is good!
Here’s the deal. It feels good after you win this battle. Let’s be honest. The pleasure you get from having what you crave doesn’t last very long. But the regret and misery linger like a bad smell.
In the same way, you’ll only feel bad for a little while. And feeling your success when you win is sweet.
All you need is a little attention.
Of course, when you live on autopilot you can have half a bag of chips eaten before you even realize they’re in your hand. You have to pay attention and remember to use this strategy when cravings hit.
Most of the people you meet live 95% of their life on autopilot.
My mission is to help you pay attention and live your life on purpose. You live a life of freedom when you live from the inside out!
If you feel stuck and need to get some traction toward your big dreams, click the button below and schedule a free consultation with me. I’ll be glad to help.
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