Can even the threat of a habit … become a habit?
October 1 (next week) I pledged to Monthly Experiments that I would start delegating more of my work. I know myself and know that I need a deadline to get anything done. But even the looming date has worked for me–I’ve started delegating more of my work already. Crazy, I know.
Bradley! I like this experiments idea. It goes well with a test kitchen and all the other new things I am facing in my work life. Let’s try this and see how it goes. Let’s try this instead. No wait – what about *this*? It turns an otherwise daunting/possibly paralyzing process into something fun. And yes, I can see it becoming a habit. Good thoughts! Thank you!
I think that’s a big part of it, “It turns an otherwise daunting/possibly paralyzing process into something fun.” If you say, “I want to lose 30 pounds.” Whew, that’s daunting. If you say, “I want to lose 1 pound.” Hmm, that I could do. Oh, did that. Hmm, maybe I could lose another.
It’s a really interesting topic. It involves learning, rituals, determination, starting power, and habits. “I want to run a marathon.” If you run it tomorrow, ooh, that’s gonna hurt. If tomorrow you run around the block, that’s doable. If you do it every day, just a block, for a week, by the last day it’ll be easier. Is that learning? Is that “getting in shape”? Is that a habit?
John is getting more and more interested in habits. Check out his next post, Make Habits Your Goal.
Thanks for the mention Bradley! I’m really looking forward to seeing where your experiment takes you.