Why resisting quick wins pays off...

[Image] Instant Gratification Is Our Common Enemy An avoidance loop is a thought pattern that triggers when you try to take axtion to reaxh your goals that you have been avoiding. Hello, Today, I want to pull back the curtain a bit and share a little story about my son…. My boy is a massive chess aficionado. Between being in a chess club, diligently working with his coach, and spending hours mulling over strategies, you could say the game consumes a good chunk of his life. But, like all passionate endeavors, he hit a roadblock. He was stuck in a rut of losses against his coach and reached a point of exasperation. He contemplated giving it all up. Just letting it all go. Had he succumbed to that impulse, choosing to escape the discomfort, he'd be skipping the very lessons and practice that would sharpen his skills. Seeing this, I stepped in with a simple piece of advice, "Take a breather, realign yourself, then plunge back into it." His coach also tweaked their training, introducing bite-sized challenges to make understanding strategies more digestible. Now, don't smirk and think this is just a kid thing. We, adults, are just as guilty. Consider these: That surge of joy when your social media post gathers likes and comments? Ah, the sweetness of instant gratification. Those times when a salad is the right choice, but a greasy burger beckons? The immediate allure wins. Or the hours lost to scrolling or binge-watching, pushing aside something more meaningful? The present distracts us from what's truly valuable. These scenarios underline our frequent surrender to instant gratification. But over time, this can spiral into a life of dissatisfaction. We continually sideline significant gains for momentary pleasures, ultimately feeling unhappy and unfulfilled. So, how can we resist this and keep our eyes on the bigger picture? Enter the [Time Flow System]( – a tool I, alongside the brilliant minds at LifeHack, developed. Think of it as your personal GPS, guiding you towards your goals. The Time Flow System consists of 3 crucial elements: I. Pinpoint Your North Stars Imagine the biggest dream you have. Feel it. Live it. Once this beacon shines brightly in your consciousness, petty diversions will struggle to pull you off course. Relish the idea of your victory – the ecstasy, the high – and let that propel you when fleeting attractions beckon. II. Segment Challenges into Manageable Tasks Faced with a daunting task? Break it down. Convert that intimidating giant into friendly, smaller bits. These bits are your Initiatives – guiding you straight to your ultimate goal. If this division seems challenging, trust me, there's a roadmap ready for you. III. Keep Distractions at Bay Distractions are ever-present, but you've got the upper hand. Allocate dedicated time – carve out your Focus Block. This ensures you remain centered, taking deliberate steps towards your North Star. [Dive deeper into the Time Flow System]( Stay driven, stay focused, and let's keep reaching for those stars together! Cheers, Leon Founder & CEO @ LifeHack Time Flow System Set boundaries with Focus Blocks [Try it Out]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [YouTube]( [LinkedIn]( [Pinterest]( 2023 © LifeHack. All Rights Reserved. [Unsubscribe here](