The Habit

By Andrew Marotta

Dr. Rob Gilbert shared this a few weeks back on the Success Hotline. If you’re not a caller, I highly recommend it: 973-743-4690.

The Habit Poem

I am your constant companion.

I am your greatest helper or your 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 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 great people,.

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 person.

You may run me for profit, or run me for ruin; it makes no difference to me.

 Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will put the world at your feet.

Be easy with me, and I will destroy you.

Who am I?

I am HABIT!

This poem is so true! Thinking about all that we do each day, both the good habits and the bad. I’ve read this poem several times now and it resonated with me in so many ways. So I ask you on today’s blog which habits are good for you that you want to continue? Which ones do you want to remove or decrease in your life?

 Over the years on the podcast and guest writers for the blog have talked about different leadership concepts. Recently Misericordia President Dan Myers discussed a concept called compounding. Well, our habits are examples of compounding. If you just did one push-up a day, and added one each day, in a month you’d be able to do 30!

 Keep building those habits and remove the ones that hurt you. I know it’s easier said than done but just start!  Additionally, if you haven’t read Atomic Habits, I highly recommend that also! It goes exactly in line with this message!

 If I can help you or your administrative team on your journey, don’t hesitate to reach out at @andrewmarotta21 on Twitter or via email at andrewmarottallc@gmail.com. Keep rolling friends!