Tag: Commitment

Glory Li (she/her/hers) Low Entropy Volunteer Writer    

As a student I figured many of the poor study habits that everyone spreaded around as ineffective and time-killing were also some of the most common traps that we repeated and fell into unconsciously. They were the practices that involved cramming the last fringe of information into our minds or being armed with highlighters in every imaginable colour of the rainbow, creating artistic masterpieces in biology textbooks. Our thirst for knowledge was a craving that could only be quenched under hysterical passion. One hand swiping the lines of a back-breaking English novel and the other hand trying to work through a complicated maths problem, the brain was doing intense multi-tasking training that may as well have prepared it for a multi-tasking Olympics gold medal. 

I exaggerated, and hopefully, no one reading here has managed to brew such a concoction of poisonous studying habits altogether (and if you did, it’s proof you are someone diligent and studious, destined to achieve great things if you just twist studying techniques to their right form). I do not believe anyone deliberately set a conscious commitment to strengthen such horrific studying habits. Among the million other issues, I recognize the primary factor preventing an improvement in studying style for many is the absence of a permanent commitment to becoming a better learner. Once people realize their need for change, a verbal or written commitment sometimes springs out, manifesting the change. It’s easier said than done, but as they adjust their unproductive studying patterns and do what they promised, their commitment will grow stronger. The ultimate result will be a positive feedback loop. 

What are some permanent commitments to set and new strategies to attempt?  

1. Addressing procrastination, cramming, missing deadlines, time management issues, etc . . .

Temptation bundling is a method of using rewards that bring people instant enjoyment as an incentive, motivating them to perform arduous tasks. The key to optimal outcome is constraining the enjoyment to the moment after task completion, never yielding to the desire for “early enjoyment” by allowing extra rewards during breaks in between. It’s essential to split study sessions into chunks with five to ten-minute pauses (reject the urge to power through everything in eight-hour sessions), but it’s not wise to decrease the impulse halfway through.

2. Dealing with passive learning, inability to memorize, lack of focus, etc . . .

Annotation and summarization. They prevent over-highlighting. When people rely on colours to emphasize information, their primary occupation is not being engaged with the passages they read, but sorting and organizing ideas into the categories of what’s important and what’s not. Once a section of text stands out in its surrounding paragraph, the individual will only reread and re-visit the highlighted portion of their notes or textbook, culturing a false sensation of familiarity that they have a good grasp of the content, when realistically, they have a high chance of dropping key points and are missing a holistic view of the material. Furthermore, highlighting promotes memorization rather than comprehension, and the latter is a higher-level thinking skill. 

3. Fixing a lack of time to relax, poor self-care, sacrificing hobbies, a lack of exercise, etc . . .

Work-life balance. Our ears are likely numb by now from hearing this phase being brought up a thousand times everywhere. I think it’s less of a lifestyle recommendation of how many hours you should study or spend time with family and friends; it’s going to be different for everyone and it will oscillate depending on life’s circumstances. Practically speaking, it’s more of an attitude toward how much we value certain things. If there’s something that someone truly desires to do, even if they have limited time or carry only one ounce of energy, they will likely go for it. Absent that desire, passion and commitment, even with the whole day in carefree excess, no output will occur. 

This brings us back to the power of commitment—whether it is thrusting people through the doors of a gym, swapping a highlighter for a pencil, or taking five minutes reflecting on the gratitudes of the day and providing personal affirmation, none of it will take long, as long as people are willing to find time and squeeze it in their schedule. So let’s stop overwhelming ourselves with stressors and imbalances in time management. It’s the right time to commit to change and work toward restoring balance.

It’s worth acknowledging that there are countless other problems people might face in their academic careers that might affect their studies. The solutions listed above don’t promise effectiveness, but they are useful techniques to add to a mental repertoire. Be aware many others are out there that may assist in making fruitful commitments. 

 

References

Admin. “Use Temptation Bundling to Achieve Your Goals.” Todoist Inspiration Hub, 6 Oct. 2023, todoist.com/zh-CN/inspiration/temptation-bundling.

Dalal, Kheder. “Improving Student’s Work-Life Balance on Campus.” Workplace Options, 8 Sept. 2022, www.workplaceoptions.com/blog/improving-students-work-life-balance-on-campus.

“Highlighting.” Learning Center, 19 Feb. 2024, learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/using-highlighters/#:~ :text=Summarize.,t%20understand%20about%20a%20reading.

Karim, Moinul. “8 Ineffective Study Habits: Mistakes to Change Right Now.” Moinul – the Happy Nerd, 15 Oct. 2021, moinulkarim.com/8-ineffective-study-habits-for-students.

Loveless, Becton. “10 Study Habits of Highly Effective Students.” Education Corner, 28 Feb. 2024, www.educationcorner.com/habits-of-successful-students.

Shetty, Sandesh. “How to Stay Committed to Habits: 10 Proven Tricks – Sandesh Shetty – Medium.” Medium, 2 Oct. 2023, medium.com/@shettysandesh.ss1996/how-to-stay-committed-to-habits-10-proven-tricks- 220953d646f2.

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Rowan Sanan (he/him/his), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

Learning to trust myself and my intuition has been a journey that has required a lot of patience. In a world filled with constant noise and influence from the internet or the surrounding community, it’s easy to lose sight of one’s inner voice—our intuition. It is important to uncover that sense to help cultivate self-awareness, confidence and authenticity in everyday life. In my case, learning to trust myself has helped me embrace that intuition, no matter what comes my way. 

The first step for me was to have compassion for myself. Treating myself with kindness, understanding and forgiveness instead of berating myself for all my mistakes helped me offer myself the same compassion I would offer another. This shift helped me realize my worth—which has been challenging for me my entire life—and laid the foundation of self-trust. 

Over the years, I have strengthened that sense of self and listened more closely to my intuition. Learning to be independent has forced me to learn how to trust my intuition, on what to avoid and who to surround myself with. I have also been able to seek less validation from others, trusting myself to know when I am doing the right thing and allowing me to build my confidence independently of others’ influences. Instead of relying on the noise around me to push me in one direction, I can rely on myself to pave my path forward. 

Another step towards self-trust includes taking risks and stepping outside the comfort zone. It takes a lot of courage to do so, but believing in your ability to grow and explore is worth it. Since starting university, I’ve discovered more about myself through interacting with the world and other people. With all these new experiences, I have been challenged many times—but through each challenge, learning how to solve issues and trust my gut effectively has saved me a lot of trouble. Instead of letting fear hold me back, I embrace opportunities of uncertainty, taking risks to strengthen my confidence in myself. Of course, these risks are always calculated and never include putting myself in danger, but even the smallest of risks, like talking to someone new, can have the highest rewards. 

Something I struggled with on my journey to trusting myself was embracing my imperfections. I am a perfectionist, afraid of rejection and petrified of making the wrong choices. So, it was hard for me to understand that my mistakes do not reflect my worth. Mistakes are natural, they are a part of the human experience and they are a learning process. They are an opportunity for self-discovery and are oftentimes inevitable. Instead of ruminating over these mistakes and failures, I used them as a guide to develop my sense of intuition and resilience. 

Trusting myself required me to set boundaries, not only for myself, but for others. I am afraid of rejection and I am a people-pleaser. This journey taught me to say no when my intuition tells me something wasn’t right, even if that meant letting someone down. I prioritized my well-being and cultivated healthier, more fulfilling relationships that served all parties equally. Still, I sought support from my friends, mentors and family, who encouraged me to trust myself and continue on this journey. Their reassurance and validation helped me stay on my path, even through all the self-doubt and fear. Surrounding myself with this community helped me feel seen, heard and valued. The right support from the right people can help foster your support for yourself, too. 

The last step I took was learning to celebrate my successes. With my fears of rejection and my people-pleasing nature, it was hard for me to see any success as a true “win.” Everything felt less than perfect, even if nothing else could be done to improve. In this journey I began to acknowledge my achievements and growth, affirming myself and reinforcing my trust in myself. Every milestone reached—a new job, a completed assignment, self-care—reminds me of my resilience and strength. This step relied a lot on the support from my community, lifting me when I couldn’t do so myself. 

Through my journey to trusting myself, I have discovered so much about myself and fostered an incredible sense of compassion and intuition, while also teaching myself incredible lessons on taking risks outside my comfort zone, setting boundaries and celebrating my successes, no matter how small. While the journey continues to this day, the lessons it provides are constantly teaching me more about myself and my community, to the point where I can navigate life’s challenges with grace and authenticity, knowing that I can trust myself to thrive. 

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Rowan is a university student who loves to write books and poetry, read all kinds of books and spend time with his family and pets.

Sasna Nawran (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer


Passion and discipline are two words that often sit at opposite ends of the spectrum when achieving goals. 

We often hear about the importance of following our passions, of doing what we love, but what about discipline? Why does it sometimes feel like one is so much easier than the other?

Let’s break it down.

Passion Vs. Discipline

Passion is the fire within us that ignites when we think about something we love. It’s the excitement we feel when pursuing our hobbies, interests or dreams. 

When we’re passionate about something, the universe aligns and everything falls into place effortlessly. We’re driven by an internal force, pushing us forward with enthusiasm and determination.

But what about discipline? It’s not as glamorous, not as exhilarating. Discipline is the steady, consistent effort we put in day after day to reach our goals. 

It’s waking up early to hit the gym, studying for that exam even when we’d rather be doing something else or sticking to a budget when we’d rather splurge.

Why Does Passion Feel Easier Than Discipline?

Passion feels good. It fills us with joy, energy and purpose. When we’re passionate about something, we’re naturally drawn to it. It doesn’t feel like work; it feels like play. 

We’re willing to invest our time, energy and resources into it because it brings us happiness and fulfillment.

Discipline, on the other hand, requires sacrifice. It means saying no to immediate gratification in favor of long-term goals. 

It’s about delaying pleasure, putting in the hard work and staying focused, even when the going gets tough. And let’s face it, that’s not always easy. It takes willpower, determination and self-control—qualities that can be in short supply, especially when temptation lurks around every corner.

Another reason passion might feel easier than discipline is that passion is often driven by intrinsic motivation. In other words, it comes from within. 

When we’re passionate about something, we don’t need external rewards or incentives to keep us going. The joy and satisfaction we get from pursuing our passion are reward enough.

Discipline, on the other hand, often requires extrinsic motivation. We need outside forces—like deadlines, accountability partners or rewards—to keep us on track. Without these external factors, it’s easy to procrastinate, make excuses or give up when things get tough.

External factors such as societal expectations, financial pressures or family obligations can influence the ease of pursuing passion versus discipline. 

For example, someone passionate about art may face criticism or skepticism from others, while someone disciplined in their studies may receive praise and support.

Moreover, people have different strengths and weaknesses, which can affect their inclination toward passion or discipline. Some individuals naturally excel in areas they’re passionate about, while others thrive on structure and routine.

Which Is Important For Success: Passion Or Discipline

Passion and discipline are mutually important for success. Passion is the spark that lights the fire, but discipline is what keeps it burning. 

Sometimes pursuing our passion requires significant time, money and effort. It can also fade over time. Hence, without discipline, passion can give only short-term success. 

Likewise, discipline without passion can lead to discontentment, burnout, stress and other negative feelings. 

Hence, you must learn to balance passion and discipline. For example, if you’re passionate about writing, create a plan to improve your writing skills further and stick to it. Then, you can become successful in it. 

Athletes are the best examples of balancing passion and discipline. Legendary athletes are passionate about a particular sport and, at the same time, they adhere to a strict training schedule to maintain and improve their performance.

When we’re passionate about something, discipline comes more naturally because we’re motivated to put in the work. Likewise, when we’re disciplined in our efforts, our passion grows stronger because we see the progress we’re making.

We need to identify our passions—the things that light us up, that make us come alive—and pursue them. At the same time, we also need to develop the habits, routines and systems that will help us stay disciplined. 

Finding a balance between passion and discipline is essential for long-term success. While passion fuels inspiration and creativity, discipline provides the structure and consistency needed to turn passion into tangible achievements. 

Integrating both can lead to a more sustainable and fulfilling journey towards our success! 

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Glenel Loring, Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

People have proven that strategy and mindset aid change. Angry people can develop coping skills through treatment. They use positive self-talk to change reactions and behavior. They could transform their mindset. Most of us know someone we wish we could change to stop their destructive behavior.

But is it that simple? People resist change attempts despite the best efforts of others. They may stay the same despite receiving support. Seeing someone stuck in harmful behavior is frustrating.

Remember, change must come from within. Pushing unprepared people can lead to resistance and resentment. Support and encourage them. Respect their autonomy. Let them make their own choices for change.

Why “Changing Someone” is Problematic

The statement means changing someone’s deepest thoughts or behaviors. It doesn’t consider their liberty and free will. Their goals and wishes are their own.

Stages of Change

People go through different stages of change. These stages include:

1. Not thinking of change.
2. Considering change.
3. Preparing for change.
4. Making the change.
5. Maintaining the change.
6. Relapsing[1][2][3]

One of Mary’s Loved Ones is Hard to Change

When they met, Mary believed Peter was the one. Though she saw red flags, Mary wanted her relationship to work out. When Mary asked for a change, Peter agreed. After Peter’s short-lived change of heart, he returned to his old ways.

After eight years, she knew she could not change him. She felt like she was a failure. She stopped fighting and started working on herself. Mary realized she had her own changes to make.

She was prepared to reclaim her life. Mary did some research to find ways to cope. Here are a few things she learned:

1. Take a moment to think about why you want to change the person you care about. Is it to help them or help you?
2. Know that you fell in love with this person because of who they are, not what you want them to be. Enjoy what you fell in love with.
3. Tell someone you care about how worried you are, honestly. Do not criticize or judge others. Hear what they have to say and how they feel.
4. Show others how to change by being the best version of yourself. Don’t make other people change. Your exemplary behavior and mood might help your loved one grow.
5. If someone you care about wants to change back, encourage them no matter what.
6. Let your loved one know you accept them and set healthy limits. Be clear about your boundaries and standards.
7. Be patient and try to learn. Change takes time.
8. Take care of yourself. Changing others can drain you. When you need help, seek it.
9. Know how to let go. If your attempts are rejected or cause harm, consider how you do things.

Setting an Example

You can lead by example as someone who wants to effect change. By exhibiting desirable qualities, you encourage and inspire others. People will imitate someone they respect and find admirable. Every decision you make conveys a sound message. Others resonate with it and feel inspired to aim further. You can ignite profound change.[4][5][6]

Opposition to Change

Let’s explore the reasons people might resist change:

Fear of change: People hold on to what they know because it feels safer.

Desire for control: Feeling out of control can trigger resistance. When someone forces change upon a person, they may push back.

Energy and Effort: Change demands energy and mental effort. As we age, we may become less flexible and fixed in our ways.[7]

Insecurities: A loved one might resist your vision because it reflects their insecurities. They fear change will challenge their choices or disrupt their lives.

Empathy, patience, and understanding can help our loved ones navigate through whatever stage of change they may be in.

Set Realistic Expectations

Change requires time and realistic goals. You can hurt yourself and others when you try to force or hurry change. Create a place that helps individuals. Help the people you care about decide on and take charge of their growth.

Respect Boundaries

Give help and words of support. Respect the other person’s space and right to be left alone. Remember that they are the ones who can choose to change. Do not force or control their decisions; this can worsen your relationship.[8][l9][10]

Seek Help

A therapist or counselor may help someone through a hard change. As a caring family member or friend, you may not have all the answers or tools to help your loved one. It’s okay to suggest seeking professional guidance when needed.

Conclusion

It’s challenging and frustrating to change someone. Adapting to others’ paces is necessary. Show, by example, the benefits of change. Focus on getting to know yourself and setting limits. Start with yourself to heal and grow. Change is possible, but it’s not a given. Engage in activities that bring hope and well-being to your life. In a way that gives them power, use your influence. Remember that self-awareness and setting limits are the first steps to healing. Take care of yourself first.

References:

[1] Prochaska, J. O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1983). Stages and processes of self-change of smoking: Toward an integrative model of change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51(3), 390-395.

[2] Prochaska, J. O., & Velicer, W. F. (1997). The transtheoretical model of health behavior changes. American Journal of Health Promotion, 12(1), 38-48.

[3] Norcross, J. C., Krebs, P. M., & Prochaska, J. O. (2011). Stages of change. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67(2), 143-154.

[4] Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

[5] Schunk, D. H., & Usher, E. L. (2019). Social cognitive theory and motivation. In R. M. Ryan (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Human Motivation (2nd ed., pp. 11-26). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

[6] Morgenroth, T., Ryan, M. K., & Peters, K. (2015). The motivational theory of role modeling: How role models influence role aspirants’ goals. Review of General Psychology, 19(4), 465-483.

[7] Lachman, M. E., Teshale, S., & Agrigoroaei, S. (2015). Midlife as a pivotal period in the life course: Balancing growth and decline at the crossroads of youth and old age. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 39(1), 20-31.

[8] Cloud, H., & Townsend, J. (1992). Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

[9] Whitbourne, S. K. (2011). 13 reasons we resist change. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201110/13-reasons-we-resist-change

[10] Peetz, J., & Kammrath, L. (2011). Only because I love you: Why people make and why they break promises in romantic relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100(5), 887-904.

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Mariana Reis (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

So what exactly is the point of marriage? In an era where certain values and family structures are often labelled as outdated or irrelevant, this question carries weight.

Coming from a country where the traditional nuclear family—a husband, a wife and at least one child—remains the norm, my own family mirrors that image. Yet, growing up in a family marked by a series of divorces, including my grandparents’ split after more than five decades together, I found myself pondering the purpose of marriage.

By definition, marriage is “a socially approved sexual and economic union, presumed to be more or less permanent, and entails rights and obligations between the married couple and any children they might have” (C. R. Ember, Ember, and Peregrine, 2019). It’s a contractual arrangement, encompassing both legal and emotional dimensions.

Motivations for entering into marriage can vary widely, from religious beliefs to political and economic benefits, often transcending mere romantic love. Throughout history, we’ve witnessed marriages forged for strategic alliances, wealth consolidation and status elevation, rather than purely from affection.

In many societies, the pressure to marry and conform to familial expectations is intense, driven by concerns of social judgment and the stigma attached to being unmarried or having children outside wedlock. Legal protections and societal recognition have historically been reserved for those bound by marriage.

However, contemporary perspectives on marriage have evolved. Legal frameworks increasingly extend rights and obligations to unmarried couples, recognizing diverse family structures. Despite this, the desire to formalize relationships through marriage persists, transcending barriers of race, social status, gender and sexual orientation.

For many, marriage symbolizes the public affirmation of love and commitment. When my partner and I decided to marry, it wasn’t due to external pressure or religious mandates. Having lived together for four years, we sought to exchange vows in the presence of our loved ones, affirming our trust, love and commitment. Our wedding was a celebration of our union, shared joyously with those closest to us.

In essence, marriage is more than a contractual agreement or a tool for consolidating power and wealth. It remains a profound expression of love and partnership, a testament to the enduring human desire to declare, “I do,” and to share life’s journey with another.

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My name is Mariana and I am a holistic nutritionist. I love helping other immigrant mothers by cooking nutritious meals to support their postpartum recovery. As I walk the path of self-discovery and inner reconnection, my hope is to continue forging meaningful connections and seeking opportunities to support and uplift others.

Rafia Rowshan, Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

What is the most important factor in a sustainable relationship? Is it just love? Certainly, at the heart of every conjugal relationship lies love. In fact, it is love or affection for each other that makes couples long for each other’s company past the momentary phase of attraction. However, as the bond deepens and matures, it often transforms into something more profound—a shared sense of responsibility. This is specifically true when companionship results in the birth of a new life, that is, parenthood. Such transition marks a significant milestone and often an extreme roller coaster ride in the journey of love.

Parenthood is a journey filled with joy, wonder and boundless love, but it also invites considerable changes in the relationship dynamics. Suddenly, the focus shifts from partnership between two individuals to the collective responsibility of nurturing a child. For many couples, romance takes a back seat for a certain time and compassion becomes the glue of the relationship. It’s a monumental shift that requires adaptation, communication, compromise and a considerable amount of nonjudgmental empathy for each other.  

Nowadays, housekeeping is seen as a shared responsibility between partners. However, sometimes the load of parenthood falls mostly on the mother. With the arrival of a child comes a plethora of responsibilities, like feeding, changing diapers, ensuring general wellness of the child and so on. While it’s a 24/7 job, mothers still need time to heal, both physically and mentally. At this stage, couples need to share the responsibility by dividing the tasks of child care.

In order to share tasks equitably, clear communication between partners is a requirement. In some couples, a father might feel ignored, while the mother blames herself for not being able to keep up. In such cases, open and effective communication is vital. Couples have to perceive this as a moment of crisis and present their needs without any sugar coat. Also, early discussion about parenting styles and financial responsibilities can help pacify conflicts and make both parents feel valued. 

As mentioned before, during the initial stage of parenthood, couples tend to neglect their conjugal relationship. The physical and emotional demands of child-rearing often impact intimacy between partners. However, prioritizing quality time together is crucial to sustain affinity and connection. If scheduling regular date nights seems impossible, simply carving out moments for meaningful conversation, compassionate hand-holding or even just a peck on the cheek could do the trick. For prolonged issues, professional help can be sought. Partners need to understand that nurturing their romantic relationship is more important than ever, as happy parents can more easily bring up a happy child. 

For the same reason, it is extremely important for parents to prioritize self-care. Within the all-encompassing role of parenthood, it’s crucial for each partner to retain their individual identity. Taking guilt-free time to recharge or pursue hobbies not only benefits individual well-being, but also enhances the quality of the relationship. Often after the birth of a child, parents lose their sense of identity. Encouraging each other’s personal growth, pursuing interests outside of parenting, and supporting each other’s goals and aspirations can foster a sense of fulfillment and prevent feelings of resentment and stagnation. 

There is an old saying that it takes a village to raise a child. Only new parents can totally relate to this. However, in today’s individualistic world, we are often hesitant to seek help from others. Parenthood can be overwhelming, and it’s perfectly alright to seek support from family, friends or professionals when needed. Whether it’s attending parenting workshops, joining support groups or seeking couples therapy, reaching out for help strengthens the partnership and provides the couples with the tools required to navigate parenthood more smoothly. 

As the child grows, the caregivers will often understand what a bittersweet journey it is. The transition from being partners to parents signifies a profound evolution in the relationship. While it brings about new responsibilities and challenges, it also deepens the bond between partners as they sail through this journey together. Parenting is like a puzzle that partners can definitely solve at the end, if they prioritize communication, mutual support and self-care.

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Diny Davis (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

“Commitment is an act, not a word” – Jean-Paul Sartre

Commitment, a word so commonly used, is a fine line between passion and discipline. When we talk about achieving our goals, whether it’s getting in shape, writing a book or starting a business, two important things come to mind: passion and discipline. At first, they seem like two sides of the same coin, and they are highly important in our journey to success. But as we try to understand them deeply, it becomes evident that one of them is significantly easier to depend on than the other. Let’s dive into the details of passion versus discipline, and discover how one can be simpler, yet far more rewarding.

The Power of Passion

Imagine passion as a wildfire. It’s the spark that ignites our drive to pursue our dreams. Passion is emotionally driven, making it incredibly powerful, but also somewhat unpredictable. It fuels creativity and gives us a sense of purpose. Passion often strikes without warning, filling us with an overwhelming desire to achieve.

The Pitfalls of Passion

Its intensity can fluctuate, leading to inconsistency in our efforts. Passion can blind us to reality, creating unrealistic expectations. It’s difficult to sustain a long-term process if we are completely focusing only on passion.

The Steadiness of Discipline

Discipline, in contrast, is the backbone of progress. It’s the structured approach to achieving our goals. It’s less about immediate gratification and more about the long process. Discipline is what helps you get out of bed in the cold mornings when your passion gives up. It’s discipline that keeps pushing you forward, step by step, towards your goals.

Discipline is a skill that can be developed and strengthened over time. It provides a roadmap to success, making our goals more achievable. Discipline ensures consistency, regardless of how we’re feeling emotionally.

Why Discipline Beats Passion

It’s reliable. Discipline doesn’t fade with time or fluctuate with our moods. Discipline allows for measurable progress, which in turn fuels further dedication. Over time, discipline becomes a habit, making difficult tasks easier to handle. There is a psychological study that suggests that it takes an average of 66 days for an activity to become a habit. In sustaining any sort of habit, discipline plays a vital part.

The Challenge of Staying on Track

The main stumbling block with discipline is that it’s not easy to adopt. Many view it as a difficult path to follow, and they believe that it deprives their tasks of joy. This misconception often leads people to shy away from developing a disciplined approach, fearing it will make their creative skills disappear.

Striking the Right Balance

While passion and discipline both play critical roles in achieving success, leaning too much on passion can leave us feeling lost. If you concentrate only on passion, once you feel tired, that initial excitement fades away. 

Discipline, on the other hand, is like a muscle that grows stronger with use. By focusing on building discipline, we can ensure that our efforts towards our goals remain consistent and effective, even on the days when passion doesn’t survive.

Embracing Discipline Over Passion

Set small, achievable milestones to track your progress. Develop a routine that aligns with your goals. Celebrate the small victories; they add up over time.

The heart of the matter is that passion and discipline are not rivals; they are partners in achievement. Passion motivates while discipline executes.

Conclusion

When it comes to passion versus discipline, it’s clear that, while passion can light the way, discipline is the vehicle that will get you to your destination. The flames of passion may gradually reduce, but the steady power of discipline, once sharpened, will carry you through your goals.

From my own journey, I’ve learned that passion can be sustained with discipline. You may want to discontinue a passion, but if it is done with discipline, it will bring you back on track. 

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Diny Davis is an aspiring author who is passionate about fitness and a strong believer in the close connection between physical and mental health. She is a journalism, psychology and literature graduate, a loving wife and a caring mother who maintains a balance in her work and personal life while giving emphasis to self-care.

Bisher Abu Thwabeh, Low Entropy Volunteer Writer 

We all want to strive towards betterment. The betterment we seek is certainly unique for all of us, however, the drive to want to improve ourselves in some capacity is innate in most people. Habits are an amazing way to improve ourselves, if the habits are positive ones. In essence, they simplify and automate our improvement with minimal effort or resistance once they are established and affirmed. The following are three habit-building tools that I believe can make the building of positive habits easier. 

1. Regress the habit’s task if it is too daunting to begin

The regression of the task that one desires to make into a habit can be a powerful way to bridge the gap of resistance towards doing the action consistently. This can be applied to exercising. There are regressed variations of all types of physical exercise movements for those who cannot perform a more advanced version. If one struggles to make an action into a perpetual habit, then the shift into doing a regressed version can make it easier to simply begin. For example, instead of walking 10000 steps daily, one can begin the habit of walking with 7000 steps daily.  

1. Track the successful completion of the habit

“Habit tracking” is another great tool to build habits successfully. One can do this through phone applications, planners, calendars or even digital spreadsheets. The idea is to track the days where one successfully completed the habit’s task, to see the overall progress as time goes on. If a day or even a few days are missed, it is perfectly fine. The idea is just to see the progress made over several months. Perfection is not the goal, but rather progress and overall consistency. 

1. Make multiple levels of completion

Another way to build positive habits is to create a system where there are levels of completion towards a particular habit. We will use exercise as an example. A person, at the first level, can walk around their neighbourhood as a bare minimum. The next level would be to complete a home workout circuit of bodyweight exercises. The last and hardest level of the exercise habit would be to go to the gym for a full hour. This system allows one to not forgo exercise altogether, just because they did not attend the gym for a full hour. This allows flexibility in the building of habits. 

Here are a couple of bonus habit building tips and reminders:

1. Celebrate every win and give yourself credit often. Positive reinforcement is key!
2. Remember that repetition is a crucial part of habit-forming, even if one misses a few days! 

 

In conclusion, habit-building is an important part of our growth. The building of positive ones and the negation of less-good ones can help us move towards betterment much quicker than an inconsistent approach. I hope that the tools shared here were helpful, and I wish you the best on your journey towards betterment. 

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Bisher is a writer hoping to make an impact on the betterment of his community.

Farhnaz Fazli (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

Personal growth occurs in two steps. The first step is taking a leap of faith. In other words, it involves making the decision to face your fears head-on. The second step is arguably the toughest: commitment to your decision. Not too long ago, I learned this lesson when I made the brave decision to pursue something out of my comfort zone. 

I spent a long time in a rut and had no sense of direction when it came to my career. I remembered attending multiple career workshops in hopes of gaining some clarity. At these workshops, I learned that communication skills were one of the top abilities for workplace and career success. I came to realize that the undergraduate program that I was enrolled in (Biology) was making me complicit to my personal and career growth. Arguably, one of the reasons I enrolled in a STEM program was because they were often stereotypically portrayed as a good fit for people on the more introverted, shy or reserved side, like myself.

However, I knew that if I wanted to thrive in my career overall, I had to get out of my comfort zone and improve on my communication skills. It was obvious to me that staying in the same program was not going to help me improve on these skills. After all, there were little to no opportunities to consistently practice my communication skills seriously enough to make a huge difference in my habits. I knew that I needed to do something dramatic that would force me to wholeheartedly challenge my shyness. After doing some research, I came up with a list of career paths that required communications skills as a top skillset. Journalism caught my attention immediately. I grew up watching the news a lot and I felt it would be the most extreme way to challenge my quiet demeanor. I immediately submitted my application and a few months later I heard back that I was officially accepted into a journalism college program.

Within the first few weeks of the program, we were already recording ourselves speaking on camera and interviewing strangers. It was very awkward and nerve-wracking for me. It looked quite effortless for those in my class who were naturally social butterflies and outgoing. I remember letting so many people walk me by before gaining the courage to approach them for a street interview. I had to constantly remind myself before each project that there was no backing out of this, no matter how terribly I felt that I was doing compared to my peers. I was committed to achieving my goal of nailing every major communication skill that journalism challenges: oral, active listening and written. That was my sole mission. 

It took roughly two semesters of the program before I improved on my shyness. By then I had grown a collection of embarrassing recordings of myself speaking on camera and interviewing strangers. I was still nervous, but I slowly grew to be confident and own up to the communication skills I specifically needed to improve on. With hard work and dedication, I found myself accepted into three very competitive internship placements by my final year. I remained focused on my goal of facing my fears and was anxiously ready to apply these newfound communication skills in the real world. 

I ended up making some mistakes at my job that revived some of my fears around communicating with others. Some of these mistakes made me feel so insecure that I wanted to quit entirely. Luckily, I fought that voice in my head and kept going. I knew that I had come too far to back out now. I was only getting started.

After completing all of my work placements, I came out an entirely different person. I was so confident in my communication skills that I became nearly unrecognizable to those who knew me well. I was so proud of myself for staying committed to my goals, even when it got really difficult and I wanted to give up. 

You see, it’s quite simple taking that first leap into doing something scary. You can just close your eyes, count down and jump right into the deep end. But do you have what it takes to stay committed to this leap? Staying within the challenge to tell the tale? That’s what matters most.  My decision to enrol into journalism school despite dealing with shyness was my leap straight into the deep end. I had plenty of awkward moments and some failures, and I frequently questioned what I was even doing in certain rooms. I often wanted to retreat back to my comfort zone and quit. But I refused to. I was committed to my decision and I was going to do whatever it took to come out alive to tell the tale. And alive I came out: alive and so much more. I grew extremely confident in myself and less shy than I ever thought I was capable of being. Reflecting on this journey, I’ve learned that our fears are sort of like muscles. They require our effort and commitment to truly see change.

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