In my last paper, How a T-Shirt Got Me Through Hell Week: Part 1, I discussed how visualization—or what I call “Paradise from the Pain”—can help us get through challenging or difficult times by allowing us to live in the moment that comes after the pain or discomfort.  

But how do we do that? How can train our brains to focus on what’s up ahead and not on what we’re experiencing now?

We can train—or trick—our brains to feed off these burst of dopamine when we envision ourselves reaping the rewards of our hard work or training. Don’t like paying your bills? Visualize yourself...