The Cookie Jar !

The cookie jar method is a technique of using one’s past achievements to motivate oneself self when one is going through a struggle. Together they serve as an imaginary jar to remind and motivate and to look at what one has achieved in life.

The author of Cant Hurt Me , David Goggins attempted to run a 100-mile marathon using the cookie jar method when he had not run more than 1 mile in the previous 6 months. Goggins was a part of the US Navy Seal. Yes, he was fit but not a runner of any sort

The cookie jar method is creating a virtual jar that holds all of one’s victories which you can take a bite off when need be. A list of one’s  victories and triumphs along with obstacles and challenges overcome. Together they serve as an imaginary jar to remind and motivate of what one has achieved in life.

During a challenge, the mind constantly evaluates where you stand currently compared to the goal. Before you head to workout, your brain knows that you have to get into your exercise outfit, reach the gym and then put in an hour of hard work.

Mind has the potential to convince to not put the effort. While body has the ability to accomplish the goal but the mind acts like the devil who does not want you to try. If you can ignore the pessimistic voice within you which asks you to give up, you can push yourself to victory.

If you can talk to your mind, to keep it going, the body can do a lot more, one can almost certainly continue no matter how hard it seems.

How to apply the cookie jar method

Step 1: Create a cookie jar

To start write about 15 of your achievements. They do not have to be major challenges. They can be Simple victories

• Scoring good marks in a tough exam
• The extra 15 minutes you worked out one day when you were exhausted
• Completing a task which no one thought you could
• Persisting with a goal which you never expected to reach
• Not giving in to the temptation of junk food last week

No matter how big or small the obstacle was, if you won the battle, list it down. These are your future cookies.

Step 2: Use your cookies

Whenever you face any hardship, recall your cookies. Think about the effort you put in to overcome a prior challenge. Remember how difficult or painful it was to go through the obstacle. Realize the fact that you could have given up, but the champion within you kept going and came out victorious.

As you do this, you notice yourself feeling alive again.

You will want to kick out instead of tap out. You will want to stand up on your feet instead of lying down defeated. You will want to put in more to win the fight or go down like a warrior.

When life pushes you into a corner, do not give up. You have met such challenges many times before. But you have met them eye to eye and crawled your way out. This challenge is no different.

Look to the Cookie Jar for inspiration