Sunday, July 25, 2004
Why we need habits
Aristotle said, "The happy life for a man is a life of consciously following a rule".
But rules are nothing without habits. Here's why.
Part of your mind is made to jump to conclusions very quickly so you can take fast action in the face of danger.
Sober second thought shows that many of these hasty conclusions are simple-minded.
Knowing this, we should plan to respond to similar situations in the future in ways that reflect our more detailed thinking.
But how can you get your reactive mind to follow intelligent rules?
By making a certain type of situation a cue for behaviour that you have deliberately made into a habit. Your brain is still reacting simplistically but is following an smarter course of action.
Why is this so important?
Because only a "mechanical" habit can give you the power to act against the strong emotions that are triggered by the simplistic ideas of your spontaneous mind.
And, you are not only fighting these ideas and emotions but also the habits you have developed by following these over a long period of time.
But rules are nothing without habits. Here's why.
Part of your mind is made to jump to conclusions very quickly so you can take fast action in the face of danger.
Sober second thought shows that many of these hasty conclusions are simple-minded.
Knowing this, we should plan to respond to similar situations in the future in ways that reflect our more detailed thinking.
But how can you get your reactive mind to follow intelligent rules?
By making a certain type of situation a cue for behaviour that you have deliberately made into a habit. Your brain is still reacting simplistically but is following an smarter course of action.
Why is this so important?
Because only a "mechanical" habit can give you the power to act against the strong emotions that are triggered by the simplistic ideas of your spontaneous mind.
And, you are not only fighting these ideas and emotions but also the habits you have developed by following these over a long period of time.
Sunday, July 18, 2004
Why We Need Rules
Aristotle said, "The happy life for a man is a life of consciously following a rule."
A rule is a pre-formulated guide
1 - in new situations
2 - and against simple-minded emotions.
1. Rules tell you what to do when you don't have time to think .
In a new situation, you don't have time to figure out the best course of action.
If you've thought about similar situations before, you can use the conclusions you've already drawn as a handy guide.
2. Rules protect you from simple-minded emotions.
Initial reactions are fast, uninformed and simplistic. That allows them to trigger powerful, misleading emotions.
If you've thought about similar situations before, your conclusions can be a handy alternative to the guidance offered by your emotions.
Sunday, July 11, 2004
The happy person has good rules to follow.
Aristotle said, "The happy life for a man is a life of consciously following a rule".
To be happy you need three things.
1. A good rule.
2. The reasoning ability to determine the right rule.
3. The ability to follow a rule.
The classic Greek rule is the rule of balance.
To have happiness and goodness in our souls we need to train ourselves not to do too much or too little of anything. This can be applied to all aspects of life.
The ability to follow a rule can be trained into a person's being. Through repetition of deliberate acts, we acquire the ability to act on decisions without being distracted.
And, since the ability to follow through on one's decisions is pleasing in itself, the more we train the ability, the more pleasing it becomes to practice it on a continual basis.
See Mark Zavodnyik
To be happy you need three things.
1. A good rule.
2. The reasoning ability to determine the right rule.
3. The ability to follow a rule.
The classic Greek rule is the rule of balance.
To have happiness and goodness in our souls we need to train ourselves not to do too much or too little of anything. This can be applied to all aspects of life.
The ability to follow a rule can be trained into a person's being. Through repetition of deliberate acts, we acquire the ability to act on decisions without being distracted.
And, since the ability to follow through on one's decisions is pleasing in itself, the more we train the ability, the more pleasing it becomes to practice it on a continual basis.
See Mark Zavodnyik
Saturday, July 10, 2004
Rule Number One
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified, terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.
Franklin Roosevelt - First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933
Actually, fear of fear is said to lead to panic. But Roosevelt is not encouraging fear. On the contrary, he is urging the recognition that fear is not a good guide to action. For, when effort leads to success, fear leads to unnecessary retreat.
Franklin Roosevelt - First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933
Actually, fear of fear is said to lead to panic. But Roosevelt is not encouraging fear. On the contrary, he is urging the recognition that fear is not a good guide to action. For, when effort leads to success, fear leads to unnecessary retreat.
