Anyone who has ever wanted something accomplished, first has to convince themselves that what they are doing has to be done. If you decide you want to go on a diet, it's because you have already convinced yourself that you have gained too much weight, and then you will have to convince yourself that eating that piece of pie is bad for you.
We mentally chastise ourselves, and try to deceive our brain into changing a certain behavior that we have become accustomed to. I find it humorous that this is even possible, because it seems ludicrous that you can fool yourself even though you know the truth of things. You can't lie to yourself, can you?
When I have to out and shovel snow, I know that it has to be done, but I am nice and cozy in my house and it is cold and miserable outside, the effort it takes to get dressed up and layered with winter boots, gloves, multiple hoodies, and layers of clothes, is quite a task, so I try to convince myself that maybe I should wait until the next day to do it.
When I know I have to get up early in the morning to go to work, I have to mentally convince myself that I have to wake up and give myself enough time to get get ready before I leave, I am going to have to get up earlier than usual which means going to bed earlier as well, if I don't mentally prepare I am usually rushing to get out of the door.
Then we have things that we know we shouldn't do but convince ourselves to do it anyway, I have gone to social events and had a few drinks, I know my limit at which I should not be driving and I know my limit when I have had too much, but sometimes I am having a good time and I want to continue with it, so I convince myself that maybe one more drink won't hurt, that I can always get a cab, that I can handle one more drink, but the problem here is that it is almost never only one more, it's usually 3 or 4 and then I'm sick.
Do it or not to do it? That is the question we all ask ourselves on a daily basis and only you will be able to convince yourself and make up reasons for your actions.
Scott Goerz
