Force -> Form -> Flow
In addition to "Awareness and Alignment", another phrase I've picked up from Mike Ashcraft is "Force -> Form -> Flow".
The basic idea: As we force ourselves to adopt a particular action in our lives, and as we do that action repeatedly over time, that action becomes a habit that is formed in us. Eventually that action becomes second nature and flows freely from us. And this new flow strengthens us to undertake new "forcings", allowing us to be in a constant cycle of growth through force -> form -> flow.
This is perhaps somewhat similar to the expression "Fake it until you feel it", with the understanding that you will grow to feel it.
The basic idea, as applied to The Promise Diet: As I've forced myself to eat less junk and fewer calories through the eating promises I've made, and have done that now for a long period of time, I've formed "proper eating habits" in my life. Over more time this has become engrained in me; these days I crave veggies and whole grains and it's normal for me to eat less than 2500 calories a day.
Do that which you want to be, and you'll become that which you do: I am a healthy eater.
This concept is important, because it means it's generally easier to follow a promise a month after you've made it than it is a day, and it's easier a year later than it is a month, allowing you to continue the cycle and build momentum by making additional promises as time moves on.
(That said, tempatation doesn't ever completely leave, and the promises keep me from falling off the wagon.)
