The snow is in full effect here in NYC. Nothing like snuggling up with some good TV and yummy food right?

The temptations are everywhere!

What to do?

Here in lies the question we all face: Who do we listen to? Our short term self or our long term self when it comes to dealing with cravings?

Our short term self tries to convince our long term self that we want those cookies or ice cream or chips or wings. That same short term self would try to convince a drug addict that just one more hit is okay.

Our long term self is what motivates us to exercise. To get up and go to work. To eat healthfully. To evolve. And improve. To resist. To achieve. To read this daily inspiration.

So who the heck do you listen to?

Well, I believe when you listen to your short term self – not only are you being impulsive – which usually leads to self-destructive behavior – but you’re indulging in pleasure.

(Big difference between being impulsive and spontaneity, in my opinion.)

A life filled with short term pleasures is very different from a life time of happiness.

I don’t think pleasure and happiness is one in the same, at all.

Let’s look at the person who refuses to give up the pleasure of fatty and fried and sugary food. Sure it tastes good on the way down. But, it doesn’t feel so good when your clothes no longer fit you. Or when you hate how you look and feel later on. Or, when you’re sick and at the doctors.

Pleasure is fleeting. Happiness isn’t.

I think the problem with cravings is that we entertain them to much. We think about them too much.

You know why? We’re stuck in our own damn head.

Let’s all try something when we face a craving. It’s simple, unselfish and will benefit others (and you too).

Ready? When a craving hits simply:

Think away from yourself.

Get out of your damn head! Think about someone or something else.

As the warden sorta said in Shawshank Redemption, “That craving will vanish like a fart in the wind!”

Who would you hire?

A trucking company is interviewing 3 potential new drivers. They ask one question: “How close to the edge of a cliff can you drive without driving off?”

Driver 1 responds, “within a few yards.”

Driver 2 responds, “within a few feet.”

Driver 3 responds, “I’m gonna stay as far away from that cliff as I can!”

Who got the job?

Driver 3 is hired.

We all have our own cliffs. We all know what actions lead to us getting close to the cliff. And we all know what actions lead to us going over the cliff.

Stay away from those cliffs.

I hope you had a terrific weekend!

One of my favorite activities besides hanging out with my 9 month old nephew is bike riding. And there’s certainly a lesson in it for all of us.

Most of us, look forward to the downhills because we can coast along without much effort. The entire ride (if it’s a challenging one) consists of barely surviving the uphills so you can enjoy the easier and fast parts – the downhills.

Let’s face it: The uphills are very difficult.

The problem with downhills is that although they are fast, it’s crazy. If you’re on a challenging route – the uphills are insane but the downhills are just nuts.

What if you looked forward to the uphills?

That’s where the work is. The fun is. The improvement is. On the uphills, you have a reasonable shot at gain over last time.

The problem with downhills is that I can’t go much faster than I did last time due to the laws of physics and safety!

Most people spend their days looking forward to those extremely rare moments when everything goes right:

When there are no temptations. When the gym isn’t too crowded. When it’s not too humid outside. When you got 8.1 hours of sleep the night before. When your shelves are fully stocked with healthy and nutritious foods. When your kids are behaving. When your boss is nice. When the weather is perfect. When you’re feeling just right.

But imagine how much of an advantage we’d have if we spent our time maximizing those moments when it doesn’t?

In other words, this week let’s embrace the uphills!

Not the downhills.

Happy Friday my extended family.

Confucious said, “It does not matter how slow you go so long as you do not stop.”

Ohh, that’s a good one.

I know how easy stopping is. We’ve all done it. We’re all tempted to do it. All the time.

After all, the key is to start (second hardest part) and keep on going (hardest part).

But as long as you don’t stop, you’re moving forward, and forward motion equals progression.

When you’re tempted to stop, push even harder. Usually, we’re tempted to stop when we lose momentum. If you don’t want to be tempted to stop, don’t let up.

I think you should laugh at the resistance that wants you to let up. Letting up feels safer. It feels more secure. It’s easier.

Seriously laugh at it.

Laugh like this.

Have a great weekend!