Whenever we make a decision it basically comes down to one of two things, pain vs. pleasure. Let me give you an example. You want to buy a new 46" HDTV for your family room. The television is going to cost you $2200.00. Which is greater, the pain of parting with the $2200 or the pleasure you will get by having the new HDTV? If it is too painful (and I am not talking physical pain here) to part with the money, then you won't buy the HDTV. However, if the pleasure of watching your shows and sporting events outweighs the parting of the money, you will purchase the HDTV.

This holds true for all decisions. You may not think of it in these terms, but it is true. Another example; you want to lose weight...say 30 pounds of body fat. On day 1 you do a great job and eat very healthy and exercise. The healthy eating and exercising may even last for a whole week. But then you start to feel weak. People around you are eating chocolates and cake, and now suddenly you don't have the energy to get up and exercise. Now you are faced with the pain vs. pleasure dilemma. Is the pain of dieting and exercising outweighing the pleasure you will get from losing the 30 pounds? Or does the pleasure from eating this unhealthy food and not exercising outweigh the pain of being overweight? So when you cheat on your diet you are basically saying that the pleasure of eating that "junk food" is greater than the goal of losing the weight. Also, when you skip that workout you are saying the pleasure of not exercising is greater than the pain of being overweight.

Here is an activity for you. The next time you have to make a big decision, like whether to exercise or not, ask yourself the following questions...
1. What is the pain associated with doing this action?
2. What is the pleasure associated with doing this action?
3. Which is a greater driving force to you; the pain or the pleasure?

Next answer these questions...
1. What will it cost you if you don't change; emotionally...self-image...physical energy level...financially...etc.?
2. What will you gain by taking this action right now?
3. Which answer outweighs the other?


Pain...vs...Pleasure

It all comes down to a balancing act. Which side of the scale is going to outweigh the other? Do you do things to avoid pain or to gain pleasure? So if the pain is your driving force, what can be done to reduce the pain of an activity AND increase the pleasure? Well, without knowing you personally I can't tell. But this is what it comes down to. It's just like hiring a coach; does the pain of making the investment in coaching and making changes in your life outweigh the pleasure of staying where you are right now?