The 365 Commitment

Day 57 – Habits of Mind

81 pushups today.  30 pullups tomorrow.   Not very impressive when compared to many other people. That’s the problem with comparing yourself to other people, it’s depressing.  It seems to lead to a number of bad outcomes, it can breed resentment, or jealousy, or self-loathing.  Not good.  On the other end, it can lead to arrogance, or guilt, or complacence, or sycophantic worship, or pedestal placing. None of these are good either.  So there seems to be many pitfalls associated  with this habit of mind..

But, fortunately, I have learned two rules that when combined provide a great alternative:  1) The key to real progress is incremental improvement, and 2) do not compare myself to other people, but to who I was yesterday.  By this calculus, my current level of performance begins to look pretty good, I can derive a pretty good feeling. Following these two rules can become a habit of mind, just as comparing myself to others. Habits of mind define experience.

How we choose to view things makes all the difference.  What otherwise would depress me, or lead me to fall into the pit, can just as easily sustain me or provide motivation and gratification.  Weird.  Life really is a mind game sometimes.

Pursue incremental improvement and compare yourself only to who you were yesterday.  Following these two simple rules and enjoy the positive outcomes.  They lead you to actual practical repeatable respectable improvement and growth.  They lead to self-discipline, self-respect. All good stuff!   All things we want more of.

Ben Wagner (63)

Member 365 Commitment

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Share the Post:

Recent Blogs

Day 3,230 – You are Protecting Capacity

The author explores the source of their irritation during social interactions, realizing it stems from protecting their capacity rather than disliking people. This insight highlights the difference between ordinary social fatigue and deeper issues like stress or burnout.

Read More

Day 3,229 – What Only Time Can Reveal

This article explores the idea that the most important qualities in people, such as character, trust, and compatibility, are not immediately apparent but are revealed over time through consistent actions and repeated behaviors, especially during challenging circumstances. It suggests that true understanding of others comes from observing their consistent actions rather than relying on initial assessments or declared attributes.

Read More

Day 3,228 – Reduce Decision Latency

The author explores the cost of indecision, drawing inspiration from a former Tesla executive’s emphasis on decision speed. They argue that while deliberation is important, fear of being wrong often leads to unnecessary delays. The author advocates for a proactive approach to decision-making, emphasizing action, feedback, and adaptability over endless speculation.

Read More

Day 3,227 – Growth Requires Excursions

This piece explores the balance between consistency and growth, using the metaphor of a familiar running route. It argues that while routines provide stability, true growth comes from deliberately stepping outside of our comfort zones and embracing new, sometimes uncomfortable, experiences.

Read More
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x