Anticipation is often sweeter than the actual experience, particularly when the upcoming event is guaranteed to be pleasurable, such as going out on a romantic date or taking a beach vacation. Anticipating future rewards lights up the pleasure centers in your brain in the same way that experiencing the event does. Think about it: you feel butterflies and grin endlessly an hour before that special date. That’s because your brain recognizes all of the pleasant situations leading up to the ultimate reward.
So dream up something that will lead to joyful anticipation! Even if making it happen seems an impossibility, envision what you’d like to happen in minute detail and savor each mental picture. Remember, intensely visualizing something can trick your brain into thinking it’s an actual experience. It really is almost like being there.