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elfsAn "anchor activity" is an activity that underpins your notion of self-control: when you engage in that activity, you develop more self-control in other parts of your life without even trying. The classic anchor activity is exercise: some people, not all clearly, who take up exercise and stick with it suddenly start to eat better. They avoid the whole "I worked out so now I can have cake" thing and instead start ordering smarter foods.
Well, of course: those people who started exercising and stick with it also want their bodies to be well-fueled for the next time. While that may seem obvious, those same people also start spending less money, they become more productive at work or school, finishing assignments on time, and they also become noticeably better at socializing and parenting.
Somewhere in everyone's repertoire is that one activity that, if they were able to engage in it full-time, would ultimately make them better human beings all around. Bicycling seems to be mine; now that bicycling weather is upon us, I'm riding and I find I'm taking better care of myself. I rode to work yesterday, and today I woke up full of good ideas about how to finish a story and a programming assignment and I put my back into helping Omaha and Raen accomplish their goals today, and I'm finding myself enjoying all of it.
So go find your anchor activity. Do it. Make yourself a better person in the process.
Well, of course: those people who started exercising and stick with it also want their bodies to be well-fueled for the next time. While that may seem obvious, those same people also start spending less money, they become more productive at work or school, finishing assignments on time, and they also become noticeably better at socializing and parenting.
Somewhere in everyone's repertoire is that one activity that, if they were able to engage in it full-time, would ultimately make them better human beings all around. Bicycling seems to be mine; now that bicycling weather is upon us, I'm riding and I find I'm taking better care of myself. I rode to work yesterday, and today I woke up full of good ideas about how to finish a story and a programming assignment and I put my back into helping Omaha and Raen accomplish their goals today, and I'm finding myself enjoying all of it.
So go find your anchor activity. Do it. Make yourself a better person in the process.
