While growing up, I would frequently express sentiments such as “I don’t feel like going to school tomorrow” or “I don’t feel like working out tomorrow.” My mother always responded with something along the lines of “that’s because it’s not tomorrow.”
She never allowed me to dismiss or judge things before they happened. I learned not to dwell too far into the future, focusing on what I didn’t want to do. This habit would sour my present mood as I dwelled negatively on upcoming tasks or obligations. Moreover, it would prematurely shape my perception of those tasks.
Instead, I trained myself to concentrate on the present and not worry excessively about the future. I realized that I shouldn’t harbor negative thoughts about future endeavors before giving them a fair chance.
Besides, every new day is a precious gift. So when the day arrives for school or my morning workout, as planned, I can appreciate the situation more and approach it with a better attitude. This, in turn, leads to increased productivity and even happiness.
It’s important to refrain from voicing what we don’t want or feel like doing in the future. Instead, we should take things one step at a time and tackle each task as it arises. Our bodies listen to our thoughts, so if we do contemplate future tasks, let’s ensure we maintain a positive attitude towards them.
