PAIN OR PLEASURE: Short term or long term...
Stoicism can be defined as inviting short term pain in return for long term pleasure. But how do you find the motivation to move through the pain.
Most people use the future reward of pleasure to create inspiration. This can be very effective if practiced over a period of time. For example, how do some people go to the gym at 5:00 am? They have linked their brain with the pleasure of endorphins after pumping iron. I believe if you want more permanent change in the brain, look at the long term pain of not taking care of your body 1, 3, 5 years down the road. (Substitute relationships, finance, spirituality, etc.)
What is the price you're paying by not getting uncomfortable in your life, relationships, career, health, finances... Think about what your future self would say to you and decide what's the most important thing to you right now.
Pick one thing you have been avoiding, and journal what your future self would say to you. Then decide to act. One small step at a time we get ahead.
Yours in Transformation,
Mike Freeman
