No doubt we are creatures of habit. In many ways, we harmlessly begin a practice; soon enough, the pattern becomes ingrained in us, and we become reliant on it. Drinking caffeine or eating sugar. For some, it may be the occasional pleasure of indulgence, while for many, that is no longer the case.
The simple, enjoyable practice becomes one that we cannot function without. Take the guy who cannot perform before two espressos first thing in the morning and becomes reliant on it for a boost at the beginning of the day. This is one I can comfortably speak to from experience. It becomes an essential element of daily practice and almost a crutch for comfortable survival.
While we can become dependent on various foods, other valuable practices initially begin with good intention that soon becomes problematic. For example, while asking someone for help can be beneficial, some will quickly make it the go-to before exploring the options themselves.
More startling is when we appreciate that we have taken these practices too far and the habit is no longer beneficial. If you give up caffeine, you will be surprised at how much you depend on it and how well you function without it—constant energy, clarity of thought, and even composure throughout the day. We become energized when we stop relying on others or break the procrastination habit. We have a greater sense of achievement, spurring us onto other initiatives we have long ignored or believed we could not accomplish.
You are not alone in having your vices in various forms. Are you aware of them, and to what extent are they inhibiting you from performing at your best? Have you tried eliminating your dependencies from your routine, and what have been the effects? You may be pleasantly surprised.
