A vast number of behavioral analysts have discovered that one of the best strategies for self-control is the principle of pre-obligation. Committing yourself to certain beliefs, goals, or desires well in advance of the trial or temptation can increase one’s ability to stand strong in the storm. You may feel determined, optimistic, and confident when first embarking on the course to personal change, but oftentimes your future self may be derailed by fear, feelings of inadequacy, or exhaustion. You must remove potential pitfalls that lie in wait for your impulsive side to protest your once-solid motives.
To reach your goals, look at how to eliminate the easiest route to giving in. In 1519, the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortez landed in Southeastern Mexico in search for gold. His goal was to head inland, claim the land, and conquer the natives. The Aztecs were a ferocious people known for their gory human sacrifices and were not going to surrender easily. When the 500 soldiers and 300 civilians disembarked their 11 ships with Cortez, they were reluctant about marching inland and leaving the safety of their ships. Cortez foresaw the fear and potential retreat of his men upon facing their first battle, so according to legend, he ordered the officers to set the ships on fire. In sinking his ships, Cortez pre-obligated his men to press forward and not act on their fear—basically eliminating his crew’s option to give up.
When your rational self sets a worthy goal for you to follow, remember that the tempted self might try to change your course at the last minute. Self-sabotage will occur every time if the impulsive side is allowed to do what it wants. Keep unhealthy foods out of the house, make grab-bags of healthy snacks at the beginning of the week, pack a healthy lunch to avoid eating out, move your alarm clock across the room to ensure you get out of bed, cancel cable subscriptions, put filters on internet-accessible devices, turn personal phones in each night, remove distracting and time-wasting items from your work desk, and don’t carry your credit cards when you go shopping. Make choices far in advance before the pressures convince your tempted self to give up. Minimize the temptation in your own life, your work, your social groups, and your home and you’ll discover with more ease how to boost self-control and remain valiant to your commitments.