The things I value often become the things I genuinely like.
Some people see exercise as a chore or healthy eating as a sacrifice. That mindset makes those habits harder to sustain. Instead, I focus on their benefits. Over time, I genuinely enjoy them because I associate them with positive outcomes.
If I don’t exercise, I feel down and less energetic. When I eat well, I feel better. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle most of the time, the occasional indulgence with friends and family becomes more enjoyable and memorable.
I’ve also learned to appreciate discomfort because I believe it makes me stronger and life easier. Ideally, we enjoy the process itself. But even associating an activity with progress may be enough.
Much of what we enjoy is shaped by our mindset. Learning to like what I value feels like the most sustainable path. As we grow, our preferences often evolve with us. And as we consistently choose what we value, we gradually become the person we aspire to be.
PS: Jia Jiang argues that discipline becomes easier when activities are fun. I differ that I don’t mind discomfort or “eating bitterness” if it helps me become the person I aspire to be. But if I eventually enjoy those experiences, are they still “bitterness”?
PPS: Nick Maggiulli argues that commitment is good for us when we know what we like, and that our preferences change based on the decisions we make. He concludes that “…the best commitment you can make to yourself is to consciously choose the things that make life worth living.”
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