Log #6

Better Than Before
Gretchen Rubin

Ask yourself, "What do habits mean to you?" The author refers to that habits are the behaviors that she wants to follow forever without decisions, without debates, no stopping, no finish lines. To put it simply, habit is that you do it without conscious thinking. For instance, I eat breakfast, take shower, reply messages everyday. I won't think when to do or whether to do. However, how many GOOD habits that we develop successfully? Some people, including me, may be confused why work out regularly is too hard to achieve. The author suggests that the most important step be starting(first) step, which determines whether your habit will be form completely.

"A journey of a thousand miles begin with a single step," literally you have to be determined to initiate one thing, then keeping doing. Once you set a goal, doing-time should not bother you. Obviously, I still cannot form a habit that quickly because I have Tomorrow logic in my mind. Despite a determination to develop a good habit of studying, I will find an excuse for myself to do it later. I think before I bury myself in piles of books, I'd better do whatever can relax my mood and enjoy idling time until the next week I will force myself to reach the goal. Thus, if you have some resolutions in mind no matter what they are except for violating laws, you should DO IT NOW without any hesitation, or you will be like me with a lack of efficiency.

As long as you step out one step, you have completed 50% of a habit formation. The other fifty percent is that you keep the habit regularly. Do not stop it because habits are subjected to such situations as bad weather, bad mood, sickness, vacation, friends' birthday, our own birthday, school assignment, and so on. When you stop, it is harder to reform the habit again comparing to forming a new habit. Exercising once was my habit; I went to gym third times a week. During that time, I felt my fitness was better than before. Nevertheless, fine situation won't go on smoothly. I encountered mid-term exam, I couldn't help but sacrifice my outworking time. From then on, I never redevelop the habit. Originally, I believe I can reform that habit because I have accomplished once, but the fact is that my will doesn't help me. So, remember to keep the habits operating continually.

Knowing the strategy－First Step is the good start. Now you know how to begin, and you have increased the confidence in what you are going to do. Keep in mind: When to do it?  the answer is NOW, yes right now.  When to stop it? the answer is NEVER because the consequences are severe.