Creatures of Habit Part 1
We all like to think that we are unpredictable and spontaneous but most of the time we travel a well worn path through our day. We create routines to simplify our lives so that we can accomplish more but by creating those routines, we relinquish our spontaneity. I would love to think that people are not able to predict what I am going to do from one day to the next but I realize that I am a creature of extreme habit. I have created that boring person that I dreaded becoming while growing up. What I truly hate about that level of predictability is that my children have learned to use it against me.
I promised myself that I would work out. We bought an elliptical trainer for my daughter for Christmas. At the same time, I received an IPOD. I have amassed a collection of more than 300 hours of music from classical, to classic rock, up through the 80’s, 90’s and into this wasteland of listening opportunity we call today. For those who know actual country and western (not the country rock are subjected to today), I even have Marty Robbins. One of the things that I do is listen to music while I work out. Now an IPOD is basically a miniature hard drive and a set of headphones. Both of them have to present for the IPOD to be operational. I would find my IPOD, without headphones setting on the computer table. The children use my headphones while on the computer. When I want to work out, I do not want to look for everything I need to accomplish the task. I, the creature of habit, put my IPOD in the same place every time. I know where it is and do not have to hunt for it. When I want it, I do not want to spend time searching for all of the parts. I have taken care of my stuff.
My children on the other hand seem to think that since it is in front of them, it can be used in any manner they see fit. And since they have no vested interest in maintaining my routine, they place the headphones in places I would not normally look, like under cushions, in the kitchen, in a drawer. Since I have taken the time to ensure my routine allows me quick and easy access to my IPOD, I expect it to be there and functional when I want it. On several occasions, it has disrupted my workout routine. I must say that the way I behaved toward my children was embarrassing. After all, I am just the predictable parent yelling at them for no good reason. I on the other hand see them as irresponsible children that disrespect my things.
Now, after the last episode of shouting at the devil, I sat down and worked through what I needed to do to solve the problem. The first solution was to change my routine. I moved my IPOD from in front of the computer and moved it to my bedroom. I figured that since I had to change clothes to work out, I could pick up my music at the same time. That eliminated the temptation. Out of sight, out of mind. But this left the computer without headphones. So, I bought a cheap pair of headphones and told the children that they were $99. If I had to replace them, it would come out of their pockets. So now I can listen to music at the computer and not have to look for my IPOD headphones. So the routine changed and turned into a new one. What a creature of habit.
Icool
Cobb
I promised myself that I would work out. We bought an elliptical trainer for my daughter for Christmas. At the same time, I received an IPOD. I have amassed a collection of more than 300 hours of music from classical, to classic rock, up through the 80’s, 90’s and into this wasteland of listening opportunity we call today. For those who know actual country and western (not the country rock are subjected to today), I even have Marty Robbins. One of the things that I do is listen to music while I work out. Now an IPOD is basically a miniature hard drive and a set of headphones. Both of them have to present for the IPOD to be operational. I would find my IPOD, without headphones setting on the computer table. The children use my headphones while on the computer. When I want to work out, I do not want to look for everything I need to accomplish the task. I, the creature of habit, put my IPOD in the same place every time. I know where it is and do not have to hunt for it. When I want it, I do not want to spend time searching for all of the parts. I have taken care of my stuff.
My children on the other hand seem to think that since it is in front of them, it can be used in any manner they see fit. And since they have no vested interest in maintaining my routine, they place the headphones in places I would not normally look, like under cushions, in the kitchen, in a drawer. Since I have taken the time to ensure my routine allows me quick and easy access to my IPOD, I expect it to be there and functional when I want it. On several occasions, it has disrupted my workout routine. I must say that the way I behaved toward my children was embarrassing. After all, I am just the predictable parent yelling at them for no good reason. I on the other hand see them as irresponsible children that disrespect my things.
Now, after the last episode of shouting at the devil, I sat down and worked through what I needed to do to solve the problem. The first solution was to change my routine. I moved my IPOD from in front of the computer and moved it to my bedroom. I figured that since I had to change clothes to work out, I could pick up my music at the same time. That eliminated the temptation. Out of sight, out of mind. But this left the computer without headphones. So, I bought a cheap pair of headphones and told the children that they were $99. If I had to replace them, it would come out of their pockets. So now I can listen to music at the computer and not have to look for my IPOD headphones. So the routine changed and turned into a new one. What a creature of habit.
Icool
Cobb
posted by Cobb at
1:23 PM
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