Photo by Mike P.

The hardest part of losing weight and getting in shape for me is keeping motivated. On the first day it seems like nothing can stop me. But sometime after three weeks — or even three days — I begin to falter. Not only does doubt in my ability to succeed creep in but I question whether the goal is even worth achieving. I think the single most effective exercise to quell these doubts is to imagine wild success. It sounds simple and it is.

This works for any goal. Define exactly what succeeding is and visualize what it would feel like achieving that goal. How would you feel? What would you do? What would people you care about say? If it is weight loss, what size clothes would you wear? Where would you shop? How would your life change? When you look back on the path you took to achieve this goal, how will you feel about it? And what would you do next?

A one line motto I try to live by is “focus on success”, which I especially try to evoke when I’m anxious. I think all of my anxieties stem from fear of failure. If I’m stressed at work or if I feel like I just can’t stick with my diet/workout I tell myself “focus on success”. And the exercise above makes me focus on just that.