Turn Inertia Into Your Ally ⚙️
“Your net worth to the world is usually determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones.” — Benjamin Franklin
"A habit, once formed, operates with the power of inertia. This is its danger and its utility. The challenge is to guide that force toward constructive ends rather than destructive spirals."
Today’s message reminds me of Sisyphus from Greek lore. Forced to roll a boulder up a hill, only for it to tumble back each time. Day in, day out, the same routine.
Our habits can sometimes feel like that boulder. Except, unlike Sisyphus, we have the power to pivot our efforts into something more purposeful.
Think about your morning routine.
Are you glued to your phone, mindlessly scroll social media, before your feet even hit the floor? Or do you choose something different—a moment of calm, a quick meditation, a breath of intention?
Tiny shifts can have a massive impact. A small tweak to a repeating pattern can drastically change the tone of your entire day.
That’s the power of habits.
They wield both danger and usefulness.
The question is—are they working for you or against you?
Consider one ingrained routine you’ve been wanting to adjust—maybe procrastinating on chores, hitting snooze too many times, or grazing on snacks every evening:
Spot It: Name the habit you’d like to shape differently.
Swap It: Brainstorm a tiny replacement action. For instance, if you’re used to impulsive phone-checking before bed, try placing the phone in another room and reading a chapter of a book instead.
Track It: Jot down a simple note each time you perform your new action. Notice how it affects your mood, time, or clarity.
Small, consistent tweaks can rewrite your habitual script for the better.
“Your net worth to the world is usually determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones.” — Benjamin Franklin
What habit have you wrestled with…
Maybe it’s a nighttime routine that sabotages your sleep, or a tendency to stress-shop online? Did you ever manage to reroute that habit into something healthier? Or are you in the thick of battling it right now?
Drop your thoughts below.
Other readers might pick up on your strategy, or even share a tip that helps you conquer your own Sisyphus-like boulder.
Habits can run you on autopilot for better or worse.
Rather than resenting the power of this inertia, harness it. Guide your routines onto a path that fuels your growth and contentment.
Day after day, these little choices add up. Before long, you’ll notice the shift—a natural momentum that carries you toward something meaningful.
I’m rooting for your steady progress. Always.
— Ryan Puusaari