Adopting habits with a positive return is one of the most effective self-improvement strategies. That’s why so much advice revolves around changing one’s mind and habits.
However, there’s a downside that gets ignored by every habits-expert. The 17th century English poet, John Dryden said it best:
“We first make our habits, then our habits make us.”
The beauty of this quote is the duality it expresses. You can read that quote and find confirmation that habits are good for you. Once you form a habit, the habit will do the work for you. You no longer have to think about performing an action. Whether it’s working out, writing, being grateful, and so forth.
