Teach self-denial and make its practice pleasure, and you can create for the world a destiny more sublime that ever issued from the brain of the wildest dreamer. – Sir Walter Scott

Make its practice pleasure.

To me, this is why attitude is important.

Our attitude or philosophy about something often determines our enthusiasm level.

I often think of ice cream vs exercise (I do this because I’m not a huge ice cream fan so it is easier on me).

Our attitude towards the two can make a big difference.

If we can choose to embrace exercise as a pleasure and relegate ice cream to something less, we’d probably make some better health choices.

To paint the picture of how that might go, think about a few scenarios….

Had a rough day…..a little exercise will perk me right up.

Had a great day….let’s top this off with a run.

Out of energy….man, I need to get my blood pumping – better get moving.

Time to celebrate…..let’s get out and go for a run together.

To be sure, if you said these things out loud most people would think you are a little strange. You wouldn’t be normal.

But that is the rub, do you really want to be normal?

If this analogy (ice cream vs exercise) isn’t useful for you, try to think of another one. Shopping vs reading. Watching TV vs praying. Stressing vs planning. I’m sure there are tons of good examples where an attitude or perspective change might do you some good.

Talk about it with someone. Write it down somewhere where you can see it. Practice some self talk to reprogram your mind.

Make it a great day.

Jake