9.34 The Edge - Secret of Stopping Habits

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34.  An Edge - Update 18 Septr 2021

A bad habit should never start but its starting may be a done deal, beyond control; so one is faced with getting rid of it. My advice is to target the habit most dangerous to your life and health, and make what I call an edge against it. An edge means being on the lookout for a chance not to do the habit. For example, say you like to drink coffee but conclude it’s not good for you to drink much. So you make an edge against drinking coffee. Make an Economy Edge by allowing coffee only when you do not have to pay; a Localizing Edge by never allowing coffee at home while having it outside if offered free; an El Exijente (A Spanish-type Savarin coffee expert played by Carlos Montalban; his more famous bro being the Hollywood late 1940s and early 50s romantic, Mexican star, Ricardo Montalban) on good taste who became famous on 1970s U.S. TV by simply refusing to have any but top taste coffee; an Impatience Edge by refusing to wait for a drink of coffee; a Quantity-Limit Edge by only drinking demitasse size, and an All-around or Contrary Edge by refusing coffee precisely because you feel a strong urge for it.

  Use the An edge to benefit yourself and penalize that which abuses you. In 2008, a restaurant cheated me.  So my Anger Edge stopped my giving it business and I ate healthier at home or elsewhere and am happier for it. Of course each person has different situations in one's life that call for varied responses; but the basic idea of an edge will be useful for all readers.

 End of Chapter. To read next click 9.35 Secrets of the IQ. What is Intelligence?