The Godiva Chocolate Pattern
This pattern helps you create powerful motivation by connecting intense pleasure to any behaviour you want to adopt. The key idea is simple: when you develop your own internal motivation “generator,” you don’t need others to constantly push or encourage you.
Think about it, when you genuinely want to do something, you do it. No reminders needed. This pattern helps you create that natural desire by tapping into the same drive behind cravings or guilty pleasures, but directing it toward something useful.
The Secret: Let Your Mind Do the Work
Here’s what many people get wrong: the more someone tries to talk you into feeling motivated, the less it works. Real change happens when you discover the pleasure yourself, without someone constantly directing you.
Once you realise you can create intense pleasure just through your imagination without needing the actual chocolate, coffee, or whatever you crave, you gain incredible control. Your subconscious mind is fantastic at this. When it recognises a source of pleasure, it naturally pulls you toward it.
The facilitator’s job? Simply guide you to the door and then step aside. Your mind does the real work.
Your Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Find Your Pleasure Source
Think of something you absolutely love—something you crave. Maybe it’s Godiva chocolate, your morning coffee, pizza, or any other treat that makes you feel instantly good. The stronger your desire for it, the better this will work.
Step 2: Dive Into the Experience
Close your eyes and imagine enjoying your chosen pleasure. Make it real, the taste, smell, texture, the feeling of satisfaction. Turn up all these sensations until the desire feels almost irresistible. This becomes your “Source Image.”
Step 3: Picture Your Goal Behaviour
Now think about what you want to feel motivated to do: exercise, study, work on a project, whatever it is. Picture yourself doing this activity like you’re watching yourself in a movie. This is your “Destination Image.”
Step 4: Do a Quick Reality Check
Take a moment to imagine: What if you craved this new behaviour as much as chocolate? How would that affect your life? Would anything be problematic? Adjust your mental picture until this new motivation feels right for you.
Step 5: Stack the Images
In your mind, place the Source Image (your craving) directly behind the Destination Image (your goal behaviour). The pleasure is there, just hidden behind the new activity for now.
Step 6: Create a Window
Make a small hole in the Destination Image so you can peek through and see the Source Image behind it. Let those pleasurable feelings flow through the hole and blend with the image of your new behaviour. Feel the excitement and desire mixing together.
Step 7: Seal It In
Slowly close the hole until you only see the Destination Image, but notice how the feelings of desire and excitement stay connected to it.
Step 8: Practice Makes Permanent
Repeat the opening and closing process at least three times. Each time, feel the connection getting stronger—the desire becoming more and more linked to your goal behavior.
Step 9: Notice the Changes
Over the next few days, pay attention to how you feel about the new behaviour. If you need a stronger connection, simply repeat the process.
This pattern works best for helpful behaviours that you know are good for you, but just can’t seem to get excited about. By borrowing energy from your natural cravings and directing it toward something useful, you create lasting change. We all have the ability to genuinely want what’s good for us, we just need to connect the right wires in our brains.