The Simplest Workout Motivation Trick Ever!

Changing the number on the scale could be as simple as changing the way you think about the numbers.

Thinking "I have 10 minutes left of my workout"—not "I've been doing this for 20 minutes"—helps you reach your goal, new research shows.

Researchers tested the theory by manipulating people’s attention with different frequent buyer cards—those “buy five coffees get one free!” cards you never manage to finish. People were more motivated to complete cards when the emphasis was on the smaller number. (Speaking of motivation, see how Blake Griffin used drive and hard work to rise to the top.)

Why does it work? We want to experience making progress on our goals, says study researcher Ayelet Fishbach, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Chicago. “If you think about a single action relative to a larger amount, progress can seem like a drop in the ocean—you’ll have little motivation to continue.”

Your move: Break your big goals, like losing 10 pounds, into mini goals. Aim for a pound a week, then once you get closer to the 10, focus on the small amount you have to go. (For the perfect day of weight loss, use this hour-by-hour plan.)

And make sure you start with the right goal, experts say. Follow these three tips to craft the perfect goal.

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