Source: http://zenhabits.net/upward/
By Leo Babauta
The bad news about health and productivity habits is that if you start to slip up, things can slowly spiral downward.
If you are tired, you can’t focus on your important work, you don’t make time for exercise or cooking healthy food, so you grab some fast food, you veg out in front of the TV. This doesn’t lead to better energy the next day, but it does lead you to feel worse and worse about yourself.
When you feel worse about yourself, you want to comfort yourself with more unhealthy food. You don’t feel motivated to exercise or be productive.
Things spiral downward, until you feel hopeless and out of control.
The good news about these habits is that they can also spiral upward.
If you take a positive step, like going for a walk, you feel pretty good about it. That gives you the inspiration to eat a healthy meal. Now you’re cranking out emails and important tasks. You’re motivated to take care of yourself and turn your life around, so you start paying attention to sleep. You start flossing. You try some meditation. You feel great!
Things start to spiral upward, and you feel like you’re capable of change.
I’ve experienced both kinds of spirals myself, and have seen both kinds in so many people. The upward spiral makes you feel amazing, and changes your entire life. I recommend that one.
Turn Your Spiral Upward
Here’s the key: ask yourself which spiral…