How to make your favorite food (or anything) more enjoyable

A few weeks ago, right smack in the middle of the day, the opportunity to ride a Segway was presented to me. I had never ridden one before and I really wanted to do it. Unfortunately, my schedule was packed that afternoon and evening...

DAMN! What to do?

Well, I began adjusting my schedule so I could make it happen. However, I'd be squeezing it in between two things I couldn't miss.

Until...

My friend suggested I do it the next day.

"TOMORROW?!?!"

I was so caught up in the moment, that didn't even occur to me. I was so pumped up! I had to ride the Segway that day. Not the following day. I wanted to ride it RIGHT THEN AND THERE!!!

Once I realized that I'd be cutting it very close with meetings, I decided the following morning would have to work.

**

I'm a big believer in scheduling events and creating things to look forward to. Anticipation is a HUGE key to happiness.

When it comes to happiness there are four stages: Anticipation, savoring the actual event or moment as we experience it, expressing our pleasure to ourselves or those with us, and reflecting on the fun and happy memory.

I think my favorite stage of happiness is...wait for it....hold on....give me a second...anticipation. (See what I did there?)

Anticipation can make our lives better. And sometimes, I enjoy the anticipation of an event more so than the actual event I'm anticipating. (And I'm okay with that!)

Whether it's planning trips or figuring out fun plans for the week or weekend, setting things up for ourselves to look forward to will make us happier.

I try to create anticipation in my life as often as possible. (In fact, I've been looking forward to writing this post for a few weeks now. But I purposely waited.)

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Question: If you had the chance to go to your favorite vacation spot this coming weekend or in four weeks, what would you choose?

I'd choose going away in four weeks. Why? This way, I get to look forward to the vacation for FOUR WHOLE weeks! It's like a four week vacation plus the vacation itself.

Question: If you had the chance to go to your favorite restaurant today or in two weeks from now, what would you choose?

I'd choose going in two weeks from now. Why? Because I get to look forward to my favorite meal for two whole weeks!

Question: If you had the chance to indulge in your favorite food treat today or this weekend, what would you choose?

I'd choose this weekend. Why? Because I can anticipate how tasty it'll be all week long!

**

When I finally went on the Segway that following day, I had an absolute blast. And the best part was that I got to look forward to it the whole day before. Sometimes, we gotta delay instant gratification for future happiness.

It turns out, the most simple way to make your favorite food or anything more enjoyable is to give yourself an opportunity to look forward to it.

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Feel like eating your favorite food treat because it's been a long day?

What if you decide that you'll strategically allow yourself (I say strategically because this is a conscious choice, not an impulsive one) to indulge in a few days?

In fact, planning ahead when we're going to eat our favorite treat is a very strategic move. It allows us to anticipate eating it and it also allows us to...pause before we indulge when there are unexpected treats. Plus, knowing that we'll be indulging soon makes the temporary discomfort we face more tolerable.

The coolest part is that by then (let's say the weekend) we'll have so much momentum on our side, that we usually don't even want to indulge. And what if we still really want to? That's okay! At least it was a mindful choice that gave us an extra boost of happiness (having something to look forward to) and it gave us a compelling reason to not give in right away.

So next time you want to indulge why not "Segway It," until later on.

-Adam