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Self Development Articles: Better Habits

Hello, and welcome to another summary of an article I found on the web using the tag ‘self development articles.’

You can view all the previous summaries in the series by clicking on this category link.

Today’s Self Development Article – Better Habits

The full title of the article is 9 Ways to Actually Adopt the Better Habits You Know Will Help You Succeed. I found it on the Entrepreneur online magazine and it is penned by Jacqueline Whitmore.

Favorite Quote from the Author In the Article

self development articles

 

Summary of the Article

The author tells us that we often wish to make changes in our lives. Whitmore tells us that, combined with some willpower, changes are easy by implementing “9 simple steps.” Yes, another listicle!

This is her list –

1. Decide what is important and why.

2. Make the habit reasonable.

3. Choose one habit at a time.

4. Give yourself time.

5. Don’t expect perfection.

6. Engage others.

7. Be consistent.

8. Replace a bad habit with a good one.

9. Build in a reward.

Reading Time of the Article

4 minutes

About the Author and Lesson(s) Learned From The Article

Jacqueline Whitmore is an etiquette expert and founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach in Palm Beach, Fla. She is the author of Poised for Success: Mastering the Four Qualities That Distinguish Outstanding Professionals (St. Martin’s Press, 2011) and Business Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work (St. Martin’s Press, 2005).

The main takeaway from this listicle is contained within the conclusion to the article. Whitmore tells us “Stick with your goal and you’ll accomplish the changes you desire. In the words of American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker Jim Rohn, ‘Success is a few simple disciplines, practiced every day.‘”

‘Stickability’ is the key to many a success story.

My Take

Whitmore too easily brushes over the ‘will power’ aspect. She says that goals can be achieved with a “little will power.” Let me inform you Ms. Whitmore that a “little will power” tends to be easily broken. It is a fragile thing if it is served in small portions.

Willpower is the key to many things in life and is 100% the key component to a change of habit or lifestyle.  I don’t believe in will power coming in portions whether bite size or gargantuan. You either possess it or you don’t,

It can be worked on. It can be instilled. The power to change is within us all. The question is – how bad do you want it? Motivation is the prime driver of will power, make no mistake.

Conclusion

I recommend the read despite my caveat about will power. It is a useful template to enable change.

And, purely as an aside – what is with the use of the word “actually” in the article title?  You adopt something or you don’t. There is no need for superfluous words like ‘actually’ or ‘really’ especially when used by a professional writer!


This is a further post in what has become a series about self development. The idea is that I take an article or perhaps a video or an infographic and summarize what it really means.  I have always been a believer in self development even before it became trendy!

Shucks I even write about self development in my About page! And if you need to know more then please check out my Personal Development page. Self development? Personal Development? C’est la même chose!

If you have a thirst for information like me then I can help. I believe I have found part of the  solution through Blinkist. It is an app that if used properly can be a tremendous aid to self development.

One of the advantages of me going through many hurdles of trying to create and improve myself in my retirement is that I have discovered things that work. Things that aid productivity.

Self Development and Blinkist

One of those things that aid productivity is Blinkist.

The aim of this series is to summarize to you articles that I believe assist in self development. Damn it! More than that – help you achieve, be a better person.  Blinkist does that too. It will give you a synopsis of excellent books written by experts in their respective fields.

It helps you work smarter and be smarter! It is an aid to self development.

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To find out more about Blinkist click here.

Formal Education vs Self Development

Indeed, I am a great believer in self development. Formal education can only teach you so much. The rest is up to you. Learning is within the capacity of all. We do it as soon as we leave the womb and it should be a continuous process. You are never too old to learn.

Through my passage in life, I feel qualified to pass on my wisdom about self development. I feel so strongly about it that I intend to eventually offer one to one consultations to help anyone who is prepared to listen. Listening and learning are the easy bits. You as an individual have to implement those lessons. No one can do it except you!

You can be the most intelligent person on earth but without self- awareness and self development then you run the risk of stagnating. Even worse, you could go backwards.

To search for all personal development books at Amazon.com click here.

For a general search of Amazon.com click here.

For UK readers please click on this link for Amazon.co.uk
 
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