The 365 Commitment

Day 54 – Changes Wrought by Momentum of Habit

Last night I worked until 1:15am.  I had a serious deadline looming and had to meet it.  Do or die.  I got home close to 2am and told myself that it would be best to get as much sleep as possible before facing the next 8am arrival back at work.  So, I set my alarm for 6:30am.  I woke up at quarter to 5 anyway.  I laid there until 5:20. Which had value, because in that half asleep half-awake state my thoughts gravitated toward issues of the day and answers from dream state seemed to inform wake state.

I had a big day ahead of me.  I realized I would feel much better if I just got up and did my morning habits. The decision to “embrace the suck” happened like a wave rolling up on the beach,  a result of momentum, and prevailing winds en route from past behavior, promoting the  habit.

So I got up and ran, and did my squats, and my 29 pull-ups, and walked calmly into the cold shower.  The pull ups were gratifying because they too came easier in spite of 3hrs sleep.  I slipped into my meditation routine more quickly too.  Days before I was a bit shocked to find that the guided meditation I had become so fond of was now deleted inexplicably from YouTube.  So I’ve been forced to “remember” and re-create the experience in silence (except in my mind) over the past week. This morning, that too came easier. The subtle changes wrought by the momentum of habit and practice are sweet.

Ultimately,  my day proved to be pivotal in terms of my fate. My deadline and crucible moment were met and overcome with the same rushing type of wave energy that characterized the flow into my morning habits, a momentum emerging from past effort. In this case effort from the night before. This is the point of today’s blog, notice the subtle changes wrought by the momentum of habit.  Notice and enjoy these results on your 365 journey.

Ben Wagner (59)

Member 365 Commitment

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

Recent Blogs

Day 309 – The Price Tag of Automation

The author recounts his frustrating experience with home automation after Google abandoned its Nest architecture, leading him to build his own system. He highlights the significant time and effort required for maintenance and the eventual abandonment of his automation efforts due to the high ‘economic life’ cost. However, with the advent of AI, the cost and effort of automation have decreased, making it more feasible and renewing his interest in deploying future automations.

Read More

Day 308 – Speed is The Champion

This article explores the concept that speed often leads to success in various fields, from business to technology and sports. It argues that systems capable of rapid action, feedback, and adjustment tend to outperform those focused on avoiding errors. The author highlights the importance of fast feedback loops, citing John Boyd’s OODA loop and its application in AI systems. The piece also discusses the speed-accuracy tradeoff, noting that while speed can lead to more mistakes, these are often recoverable, and the compounding effect of rapid learning ultimately drives better results.

Read More

Day 307 – Iterative Could be Insufficient

This article explores the contrast between iterative and linear thinking, highlighting their respective strengths and weaknesses. It argues that while iterative thinking is beneficial in many fields, it can sometimes be an excuse for insufficient upfront planning, and proposes a hybrid approach for more robust decision-making.

Read More

Day 306 – The Zeigarnik Effect

The article explores the psychological relief gained from writing down unfinished tasks and concerns, linking it to the Zeigarnik Effect. It explains how externalizing thoughts through writing can free the mind from constantly remembering and worrying about unresolved issues, allowing for greater mental peace and the ability to conclude the day effectively.

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