Crowding Out Bad habits
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)
I was on a plane, exhausted. I had a full row to myself for a long flight. Right as we were about to takeoff, a woman left took the aisle seat in my row. I glared at her. Then I moved my stuff and returned to my book.
…I walked into my girlfriend’s building. The door man asked for my name and the apartment number for no less than the 20th time. I was late and tired of introducing myself.
“33G, Brett Martin” I responded curtly.
Minutes later as I walked back out to pick up the parmesan, I felt bad. I asked him if there was anything I could grab for him from the store. “No…thanks” he said.
I was not nice in either of these interactions. I was not an asshole either, but I certainly didn’t make life easier for the other. Each infraction was so small, I doubt they even noticed. I barely did.
But I did notice. And when I reflected on where my behavior was headed, I didn’t like it: 30 years from now, I am crotchety old man.
That is a slippery slope I’m not interested in but it got me thinking: Where do bad habits come from? How do they flourish? How can they be detected and quashed before they become entrenched?
Breaking bad
Bad habits are often things you don’t do. Not making time for the gym. Not changing your oil. Not calling your mom. Not writing this post.
Bad habits sneak up on you. They are born when you don’t know any better, when you don’t even know what good looks like. They grow when you are too busy with other things. They bloom when you’ll get to them tomorrow.
Bad habits are the void. You have to fill it.
Eating right
One of my favorite concepts is a dieting technique called “crowding out.” Rather than try to eat less bad stuff (which is hard), you focus on eating more good stuff (which is tasty). The more broccoli you eat, the less cake you will want and therefor eat.
Crowding out is not just for your diet. A preemptive smile makes it hard for scowls to take root. Plans prevent lethargy. Active observation intuits etiquette, empathy, precaution and so much more. To quote Ben Franklin (or maybe Lucille Ball?),
“If you want something some, ask a busy person.”
I don’t think I’ve said anything ground breaking here but I’ll leave you with this: Maybe the best way to quit smoking is not to smoke less cigarettes but to climb more mountains?