Creature Of Habit

Our habits make us who we are. Scientists tell us that no two people are the same in terms of their personality, their interests and their habits. Some people end up becoming more successful and effective than others. This is due in large part to their attitude and their habits - the things they do that define them. There are some habits that promote effectiveness better than others, and some are rather obvious while others are not so obvious. However, the way one implements their habits also plays a role in the overall effectiveness of one's habits.

The best example to provide for this ideology is to take a look at my own habits. How do the positive habits I maintain help me become more effective and how do my negative habits prevent me? By determining which habits help me, I can figure out how to promote them and streamline my effectiveness, and by determining which ones hinder me, I can attempt to eliminate them and further increase my level of effectiveness.

Since I am a firm believer in getting the worst part over with, I thought it would be appropriate to take a closer look at my negative habits first. Now, nobody is perfect, and I'm certainly not an exception to this, so I do have my share of bad habits. Probably the most prominent, and consequently the one that hinders me most, is my lack of a work ethic. I am admittedly quite lazy. I procrastinate excessively and I am lax to do things that I am ill- or not motivated to do. I find it odd that I possess this habit due to the fact that it is not a result of genetic inheritance. Both of my parents are very successful and effective businesspeople and I find it bewildering that I do not share their passion for work and the incredible responsibility they hold sacred. It is obvious that this habit hinders me in many ways as I often fail to meet deadlines including, but not limited to, homework due dates, scheduled meeting times, or certain chores or tasks given to me either at home or at work. It also hinders me in that I often put off important tasks and assignments such as applying for a job or writing a research paper. Though I am not proud of this habit, it is difficult to overcome it, though I hope one day to be free of it like my parents.

Another habit that I regret having is one that affects me less in the sense of a business world, but more in a social world. If it were possible to mix President Bush with a mule, I would be even more stubborn. I hold fast to my ideals and beliefs and refuse to let anyone tell me otherwise. The ironic thing about this habit is that it is both detrimental and beneficial. It hurts me because it closes my mind to compromise and negotiation, which are important in a social environment, but it does help strengthen my resolve and prevent people from influencing me.

Finally, one of my bad habits happens to include not getting enough sleep. Some nights I can be up until 4 o'clock in the morning watching a sci-fi movie, playing a rather engaging video game, or even finishing up homework that is due in the morning. Suffice to say that this lack of rest does little to affect my overall performance other than make me a few minutes late for wherever I need to be in the morning and the drowsiness can be combated with Mountain Dew. Rarely has this habit done anything serious to hinder me.

On a more positive note, I do practice several positive habits that help offset