This: " an honest accounting of what you’re most likely to do when eating out,"

Richard Wiseman, a British psychologist, wrote an excellent book on goal setting. He said the one of the major reason people fail with goals is the idea that imagining a perfect outcome is the key.

He said (and this is based on close to 100 years of well replicated research) one of the keys is to anticipate - in as much detail as you can - the likely obstacles.

I've seen that where people go wrong with this is they dwell on potential failure with heavy hearts. The idea is (mindfulness helps if you get how to do it in a relaxed way) to see calmly, perhaps with some humor, how various obstacles may arise (like seeing a buttery dish and getting swept up in your craving for it).

Great point! I've made a point of identifying (before getting to the restaurant!) very specific appetizers, main dishes and desserts that I'd like to order. AND, when getting TO the restaurant, looking around and seeing what might tempt me - like when I go to Dobra's tea house here in Asheville, it really helps to remember the last time I had one of their mocha caramel chews, and was stuffed even before I finished eating it!

Really like your simple, natural, sensible focus.