Intimidated
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Day one. You're hyped, you're pumped up, your motivation to finally get that goal you've been putting off has finally reached its boiling point and some whistle inside your mind is telling you go. You stand in front of the task at hand and move forward, you got it done! Step one complete.

Day two. Man that was though, I mean like, I have to do that again?! Though I'm sure it varies for everyone, beginning a new challenge or continuing and old one can be intimidating because we know how hard it is.

Lately my challenges seem very simple in comparison to beginning a workout plan, but it's probably due to the fact that I'm use to developing the habit. That's why on some days I'll just joke with myself and say “I can't get 21 days out of you, c'mon!” I'm pretty sure I've read it once that it takes about that long to bring in a new habit (it’s apparently grown to 66 days), but the reason I like that number in my middle years is because of a reality TV show called Naked and Afraid.

There are not that many reality shows that I am a real fan of (Shark Tank by far is one of the best), and I wasn't looking to watch Afraid; it was a friend who thought the show was hilarious. What did I pick up on? That for 21 days there were people that subjected themselves to the harshest environments simply for the trophy of having said "they've done it". That and how much weight they lost (before and after shots were quite the visual).

If a woman and man can do something that silly (and reckless) for 21 days in an uncontrolled environment, can I not get what I want started in the comfort of my own home? Ah, here comes the trick. For me lately it's avoiding mixed alcoholic beverages. I enjoy them as much as I enjoy making them; it's a very festive and social thing for me to do. That's why I keep a full bar.

Now, ever heard of a "commitment device"? It is a mechanism we voluntarily put into play to demand the compliance of a certain behavior (like Afraid). It is particularly hard to stay away from something that brings you comfort. There lays the other half of the intimidation; not the fear of starting something new or even facing an objective that's hard, it's being comfortable with where we are. Not to mention there is no requirement that says we have to try in the first place.

Instant gratification versus long term reward; philosophers have long taken a shot at that one. If it's something's that you believe is for you, don't sign off on your failure before having tried. Commit. I can tell you that not having tried gets really old, and it's not a whistle that goes off, it's looking around and seeing that you haven't moved at all. As it is said ‘we only get the one life’. Don't be intimidated.