This content is locked. Please login or become a member.
Whenever we’re trying to create a habit, we need to use self-command on ourselves. And there’s certain things that we can do that really boost our self-command, and that if we leave undone, are really going to undermine our self-command. So we have to pay very special attention to the kind of things that we can do that are going to keep us able to hold ourselves together enough to stick to those good habits.
Eat and drink healthily
So what are the foundation habits? First eating and drinking right. Don’t let yourself get too hungry. Now it’s ironic because one thing that many people want to change their habits to do is to eat less. But eating enough and eating in the right way is one of the most important things that you can do for your habits because being hungry is something that really undermines our self-command. So you want to make sure that you eat right. And drinking! I mean the reason that drinking is fun is because it breaks down inhibitions. So, you know, if you’re trying to keep your inhibitions high because you’re trying to really self-regulate, you need to think about drinking.
Get enough sleep
Next, sleep. I mean sleep is crucial, and most adults need at least seven hours of sleep. And the fact is we adjust to sleep deprivation. You know people will say, “Oh, I’ve trained myself to get by on four hours.” But when scientists study those people, they’re quite impaired. Not getting enough sleep hurts your mood, your memory, your immune function. It really makes it hard for you to ask a lot of yourself because you’re just exhausted. So getting enough sleep is going to help you in any kind of habit.
Exercise
Next, exercise. Now you do not need to train for a marathon. This is like going for a 20-minute walk. Exercise is like this magic elixir of life because it both calms us down and energizes us. And if you’re a person who has trouble sleeping, it will help you sleep more deeply and fall asleep faster. And so exercise is something that – because it energizes us and lifts us up, gives us this boost – it increases our self-command.
Unclutter
Now I think these are pretty obvious to most people that sleep and exercise and eating and drinking right are important. But here’s one that really surprised me, and that is uncluttering. Not for everybody but for most people, to a degree that I found very surprising, outer order contributes to inner calm, inner energy, and inner creativity. There’s something about getting control over the stuff of life that makes you feel more in control of your life generally. And a friend of mine said, “Well, you know, I cleaned out my fridge and now I know I can switch careers.” And I knew exactly what she meant. There’s something about getting rid of things that don’t work, putting things in their proper places, having clear counters, being able to just – even something as simple as hanging up your coat in the coat closet without having to jam it in there. And so it’s important for self-command because when everything around you feels well-ordered, well then you feel more in control of yourself. Now maybe it’s an illusion, but it’s a helpful illusion.