“Self-discipline is often disguised as short-term pain, which often leads to long-term gains. The mistake many of us make is the need and want for short-term gains (immediate gratification), which often leads to long-term pain.”
― Charles F. Glassman, Brain Drain – The Breakthrough that will change your
Have you ever given up on a New Year’s Resolution? Well, if you did, you are not alone.
38.5% of US adults set New Year’s Resolutions
The top 3 New Year’s Resolutions are health related.
23% quit in the first week. 36% in the first month.
9% keep their New Year’s resolution
So basically, most of us are pursuing some “better version” of our current self. And for some reason, we associate a new year, with the necessary behavior changes to put us on the path toward that “better version”. Yet, despite our best attempts, we will abort this well-intentioned mission long before we see any meaningful change.
Hmm….I believe it was Einstein who said “The definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result”. Yes, the “new year, new you” marketing campaigns have driven the best of us to some “insane” behaviors.
So, why do so many continue on this insanity hamster wheel?
In other words, why do we continue to do the things we know are not in our best interest. And yet, NOT do what we know we should do?
The apostle Paul articulates the battle most of us have experienced. And his conclusion is that it comes down to a battle between good and evil. And if you believe in the bible, on some level you might agree.
We have the desire to do what we know we should do. But there is another force at work. And that force is pulling us toward comfort. The need to gratify our present desires.
Why can’t we stick to an exercise plan? The couch/bed is more desirable in the moment.
Why can’t we stick to a diet? Satisfying that food craving is more desirable in the moment.
Why can’t we stick to our neuro rehab routine? Feeling comfortable in the moment is more desirable than the physical and mental energy required for said exercises.
So there is this battle going on inside. On the one hand, you have comfort. Comfort is disguised in many enticing ways. Indulging in that satiating food. Staying under that warm, down-filled comforter. Escaping into another Netflix movie or scrolling on social media. Yes, satisfaction. Comfort. Though temporary, we have all believed at one time or another, that this was the “right” path….in the moment.
On the other hand, there is the path less traveled. The seemingly “difficult” path. The path that looks like work. The path that is work. These are the things we don’t want to do. Those who force themselves onto this path have won the game of life. This is self-discipline. Self-discipline is not something we naturally have. Self-discipline is something that is developed. Self-discipline isn’t something you will ever master completely. It is something we all must aim to master daily. Even the best of the best are tempted toward comfort. Yet they resist. Knowing that “short term pain, often leads to long term gains”.
I recently came across a timely podcast with Andrew Huberman and David Goggins that is relevant but not for the faint of heart. (Disclosure: there is a lot of “colorful” language so proceed based on your tolerance 😊 )
My take-a-way from this conversation was NOT a “hack” or a “how-to plan” to achieve a health-related goal.
My take-away was that those who maintain optimal health train themselves to regularly do things they don’t want to do. It is a way of life. The health outcome is NOT the goal. The ability to get comfortable with the uncomfortable IS the goal.
“New goals don’t deliver new results. New lifestyles do. And a lifestyle is a process, not an outcome. For this reason, all of your energy should go into building better habits, not chasing better results.” – James Clear
Questions
What does the “better you” look like? In other words, what version of you would your future self be proud of?
What is one behavior that will move you toward that version of you? (pro tip: set the bar as low as possible where you leave little doubt that you can clear it)
How will you fight the desire for comfort and force yourself onto the path that looks like work?
“To define yourself is to limit yourself. Without labels you remain the infinite being.” – Deepak Chopra