#193, Habit
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
-Aristotle
Human beings are creatures of habit. Yes, creatures despite our level of intelligence, and each day we must have our needs fulfilled. We must eat and sleep and, because we are social creatures, chat with other creatures too. To survive and get through each day, we must go through dozens and dozens of behaviors. Think of every single behavior you go through just to get from your bed to your school desk on a regular day. Thankfully, we have our habits to rely on.
habit n. a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up
When performing a habit, the brain is not engaged in the same way is it is when we do something new. Consider, for example, taking a shower at home. Your mind and body move effortlessly through all of the actions. Open bathroom door. Turn on hot water. Put hand out to test temperature. All of these actions are scripted in your brain already. Now, consider taking a shower in a hotel. It’s not quite as easy; you actually have to think. You have to consider each of your actions because showering in a foreign place is not habitual.
That’s the power of habits.
Some of these scripted behaviors we have are rather unusual. As idiosyncratic complex little creatures, we develop habits that may be atypical. And like it or not, they’re usually here to stay.
To complete this Journal response, address the following:
Share a quirky (i.e., unexpected, weird) habit of yours OR the habit from your PechaKucha and how it has worked for you.
Comment on a peer’s response.
-Brenden Lee Teacher