The Power of Habit

Dreamers and Doers

At the end of the first semester of my freshman year of college, I was on the verge of flunking out of school.  I skipped classes.  I didn’t keep up with the reading.  I put off doing papers until it was too late.  I tried, but I just couldn’t seem to get my act together.  That’s when my grandfather sat me down to give me some grandfatherly advice; what he told me literally changed my life.

My grandfather explained to me, speaking as if his words were scientifically proven, time tested, matters of fact, that all people could be placed in one of two categories:  Dreamers or Doers.

“There are only two kinds of people in this world: dreamers and doers,” he explained.  “Dreamers talk about, think about, dream about, hope for, even plan on doing extraordinary things; doers do them!  Right now you’re a dreamer, and it probably seems like no matter how hard you try you just can’t get yourself to do the things that you know you should do or that you would like to do, but you can become a doer.”

The advice given to me that day by my grandfather forever changed my life, and it can change yours too.  And, incidentally, I did go on to graduate from college--with honors.  So, if you’re a dreamer how do you become a doer?  What exactly is this transformation and how does it take place?  Let’s first take a closer look at what exactly a dreamer is and what constitutes a doer, and examine how the two differ.

Doers are more successful than dreamers because they take consistent, purposeful action, while dreamers never get started or quickly burn out.  Doers have the ability to purposefully effect change in their lives. They accomplish extraordinary things, whether it’s starting their own company, writing a book, getting elected to public office, running a marathon, or any other extraordinary accomplishment, while dreamers are somehow stuck on the sidelines only dreaming about doing such things.

What holds the dreamers back?  Is it simply a fear of getting started? Is it fear of failure?  Are the dreamers less talented, less intelligent?  Is it a lack of ability or a lack of luck?  What empowers the doer to do, to achieve and accomplish great things, while the dreamer is doomed to failure?  The answer is simple, yet profound.

The force that empowers the doer yet holds back the dreamer is one and the same.  It is HABIT.

Who Am I?

I am your constant companion.  I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden.  I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.  I am completely at your command.  Half the things you do you might just as well turn over to me and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.

I am easily managed – you must merely be firm with me.  Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons I will do it automatically.  I am the servant of all great individuals and, alas, of all failures as well.  Those who are great, I have made great.  Those who are failures, I have made failures.

I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a human.  You may run me for a profit or run me for ruin – it makes no difference to me.

Take me, train me, be firm with me and I will place the world at your feet.  Be easy with me and I will destroy you.

Who am I?

I am HABIT.