Habits Pave The Way
Habits Pave The Way
April 28th
“Every habit and faculty is confirmed and strengthened by the corresponding actions. That of walking by walking, that of running by running. If you wish to be a good reader, read. If you wish to be a good writer, write. If you should give up reading for thirty days one after the other, and be engaged in something else, you will know what happens. So also if you lie in bed for ten days, get up and try to take a rather long walk, you will see how wobbly your legs are. In general, therefore, if you want to do something, make a habit of it. If you want not to do something, refrain from doing it, and accustom yourself to something else instead.”
—Epictetus
Discourses
Think of your abilities as muscles in your body—use them or lose them.
Just like a runner trains daily to improve stamina and speed, any skill you want to improve demands regular practice. Want to expand your knowledge? Make reading a daily ritual. Fancy yourself becoming the next great novelist? You've got to fill pages with words, one sentence at a time.
These actions, repeated over time, not only sharpen that particular skill but also fortify the habit itself, engraining it into your daily routine. It's a straightforward recipe: consistent action equals consistent improvement.
Now, consider what happens when you hit pause on these actions. If you've ever whiled away days without exercise, you know the stiffness that greets you when you finally stretch your limbs. Neglect your practices and your once sturdy skills will start to wobble, just like unused muscles.
But it's not just about avoiding atrophy; it's about conscious choices. Do you have habits that you're not proud of? Turn away from them, and in their place, cultivate the actions you admire.
What habits are you reinforcing daily, and what could you change to align more closely with who you wish to become?
