...or go for a run, as you promised yourself. Or start getting up earlier. Or give up alcohol. How to keep the promise you made to yourself? Many people, having once broken some promise, make the verdict “I am weak-willed and will not achieve anything in life.” Of course, this is too categorical a conclusion. You can be a completely disciplined person who knows what he wants from life and is able to go for it, but... you see your temptation. And the whole discipline seems to “switch off” and stop functioning. When we act impulsively, we not only become unbalanced, but we also fail to achieve what we want. What is the way out? Understand what is a trigger for you? It is important here to be as sincere as possible with yourself and answer the question: what becomes a trigger for me to break a promise and succumb to temptation? What specifically causes you to act in an undesirable way? Think about temptation in advance I know that you sincerely want to believe in your own willpower. But at first there is no need to subject yourself to tests. It’s better to eliminate in advance the temptations that could theoretically come your way. Don't go where there is a lot of alcohol if you are quitting drinking. Don't go to bed late if you plan to go for a run in the park in the morning. Do you know what I mean? Find a purpose Sometimes it is simply unrealistic to completely eliminate temptation. In this case, I recommend the following to you: come up with a goal that would truly captivate you. It is she who will help you not to stray from the intended path and follow the promises you make to yourself. Find someone who will do this with you. A so-called “partner” who also wants to learn how to keep the promises you make to yourself and not give in to temptation. Not only is it much easier and more fun for the two of you to stick to the plan, but you will also have an outside perspective - and this is a very useful thing! Listen to your inner voice If you think that it whispers: “Come on, eat this cake, spend all the money - you only live once!”, then you didn’t listen well. Surely there is another voice that reminds you of who you are, what you care about, what you want. Listen to him. As soon as you feel that the struggle “To do or not to do?” has begun inside you, do not be led by a fleeting desire. Very soon you will regret it. Be smarter and more far-sighted - after some time it will become your habit. I don’t know if you believe in yourself, but I definitely believe in you. I know that you will make mistakes, go astray, and be upset. But I also know that you will achieve what you want. Believe this too. Sincerely, Your psychotherapist, coach, interpersonal relationship consultant, Ilya Akhmedov.