A commitment to long-term success begins with short-term thinking. Many, however, grow impatient in the wait for results due to the inability to transcend the present.

With the arrival of cooler weather, prior commitments to diet and exercise often take a back seat to family traditions such as homemade eggnog and a 20-pound Butterball. While such temptations abound in many rooms of the house, the holiday season tends to magnify the need for self-control and behavior modification.

Many remain oblivious to the future effects of Grandma’s fudge and Aunt Sally’s famous chocolate chip cookies. The occasional candy cane does not bear problems of importance, but the neglect of self-control often generates health hiccups, not to mention an additional inch around the midsection.

Even teens, who often consider themselves invincible due to a high rate of metabolism, maintain a sense of apathy as to what enters their body. As time passes, however, each seemingly inconsequential decision catches up with their figure, resulting in not only weight gain, but also numerous other health problems.

While many attempt to alleviate these habits with New Year’s resolutions or exercise vows, few possess the willpower and drive to achieve these goals. Empty pledges such as “I am going to run over the Christmas break to stay in shape” or “I will work off these calories later” test dedication to physical health as well as character development.

Although some possess the ability, laziness often hinders advancement. Athletes who refuse to condition and practice struggle with endurance during games. In the same sense, instant gratification without hard work is impossible.

While it appears obvious that the student who neglects to prepare for a test receives a lower grade, seniors not only face college application deadlines, but competition with peers to ensure entry into their university of choice which is the first step towards their future.

Difficulty is inevitable. Initial trials test the hunger for a current aspiration, but devotion leads to future success.