You try to work out the right way and you try to eat right. But, do you approach it all with the right attitude?
It’s that attitude that can actually make all the difference between so-so results and spectacular ones.
A simple mind trick…
Most people tend to think things like “It feels like I’ve been working out for hours.” But, according to experts, you’ll reach your goals more consistently if you think “I only have 10 more minutes to go.”
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Researchers tested the theory by manipulating people’s attention with different frequent buyer cards — specifically, those “buy five coffees get one free!” cards you never manage to finish. People were more motivated to complete cards when the emphasis was on the smaller number.
Why is this so effective?
We all want to experience making progress on our goals, says study researcher Ayelet Fishbach, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Chicago. “If you think about a single action relative to a larger amount, progress can seem like a drop in the ocean—you’ll have little motivation to continue.”
So what should you do? Break your big goals, like losing 10 pounds, into mini goals. Aim for a pound a week, then once you get closer to the 10, focus on the small amount you have to go.
And, of course, make sure you start with the right goal!