Comments on: Building Habits with Paper Clips – Day 31 – Great Revelations

By: Mark Martinez

Mark Martinez — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 07:09:01 +0000

You got a point…
When the focus is on “building the habit” and making it stick, single focus is great. For example, I’ve been off any kind of workout for 6 months due to an injury… now I’m trying to get back to it, past few weeks the focus has been “just get to the gym 3 times a week”
Once that habit is formed, it depends where you wann’a take it next (or leave it there if that satisfies you)… in my case, next step of focus would be: “Have a structured workout” (one that serves whatever side sport I’m into – e.g. wakeboarding, kickboxing)

By: Matthew Cornell

Matthew Cornell — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 20:27:35 +0000

Very good insight, Ricky. I like how Mark Forster puts it in DIT: “little and often”,. He says the mind likes to work this way. It has time to simulate, make
connections, and get new insights. Fundamental to habit changes, as well.

By: rickyspears

rickyspears — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 13:40:48 +0000

Anita – You’re absolutely right that we need to challenged and that competition is a good thing. However, when the challenge or the competition becomes a negative force, it’s much better to do something than it is to do nothing. I think we all have those areas where this is the case, but those areas will be different for different people.

I’m excited to hear about your progress with T’ai Chi Chih, and especially about the positive side-effect of no headaches. I’m humbled that I could have a part in that.

By: Anita

Anita — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:27:01 +0000

I agree with you on the bit about constant improvement. I think that improvement could be good if you begin with maybe a 5 minute walk and wish to do 1 hour a day. Then you would want to add to the 5 minutes bit by bit. But if you are already doing sufficient and don’t aspire to the marathon, than what’s the point. I’m happy to hear you discuss that prevailing belief in competition as a good thing.

Thanks for beginning this journey with the walking habit building on your blog. It inspired me to develop some habits, too. I’ve been working on doing T’ai Chi Chih 6 days a week and have just completed 30 days so far. I’ve had no migraines this month and am wondering if it might have to do with the T’ai Chi Chih. If, not, I’m still grateful for the habit and to you for the part you played in getting me going.