Madness Makes it Matter
Straining and striving to maintain some habit against common daily reasoning will make the habit proportionally stronger. I believe it is often a pre-requisite for habits reliant on willpower > linked cravings.
- Going to library qAM can be enforced w bakery item on arrival.
- Anki, sit-ups, focus...(habits that require sustained effort) -> more difficult to pair w intrinsic cravings -> some manner of mind control is necessary.
The "madness" driving the difficult habit can be functionally defined as choosing to do the habit, possibly to the detriment of some other important variable in the day (sleep, food, relaxation)./
It is important to concretize the madness w some physical representation so that various distractions and winds of thought will not dilute the covenant (akin to a religious practice).
- Habit Tracker: Must be placed in routine physical space for maximal effectiveness. Virtual spreadsheets lack the concretizing realness as physical measures, and can be easily forgotten.
- Accessory removal: A small object like a ring or a watch is adorned at beginning of day and cannot be removed before bed unless the habit is completed.
- Consumable Ritual: Tapered candle marked w lines that is intentionally blown out upon the completion of a dedicated session. Best for craving-resistant habits
- Sacrificial Stake: Remove some item of value from it's typical place until habit is completed. Like removing how many hours you studied the day before from your tracker until the habit is completed. Anxiety about memory helps motivate the behavior.
The progression of time grows the covenant, but the regular suspension of reason for the sake of the habit cannot be replaced.
In college I would hold a lighter under my skin after completing a bad habit. Initially I thought fear of pain would be sufficient motivation to abstain, but instead I realized it created a deep sense of internal shame and guilt. Similar to the way parents might beat a child, causing the child to subsequently develop an internal sense of guilt (or right v. wrong).
- Why did it not work? (Nature of habit? Poor adherence?)
Drawing inspiration from the comic book villain Viktor Szasz, I used to tattoo myself after failing some requirement I put on for myself. Instead of abstaining and feeling shame, I felt almost pride after as my sins checkered my body like moral battle scars.
- Why did it not work/have effect on pride?