Assume Your Are Closer to The Goal Than You Really Are

Assume Your Are Closer to The Goal Than You Really Are

The proximity to a goal increases the investment in resources that people use to meet that goal, even when they don't have that much spare.

Explanation: when you feel a goal is close to reach, you are more motivated and more likely to accomplish it, even if it's just an illusion. It's called the goal-gradient hypothesis. The goal could be very far. But because of how your visual/proximity perception works, you believe it's near.

What to do: Think of a goal you're trying to accomplish: improving health, losing weight, getting promoted, finishing an app, beating an addiction, anything you want.

Look back on all the work you've done for it. You need to believe you're already 80% of the way there and that you only need a bit of more effort. This alone can 10x your motivation and likelihood to achieve your goals.

Use this for grander visions or short-term bouts like focusing, coding, lifting, etc.
Think of the goal, and tell yourself: "I'm almost there". You really are.

Here's the clip from the podcast. Thanks to u/daniilstepanov for suggesting I add some of the lesser known / new ideas here. I know the tools aren't perfect but... I'm almost there :)