As heard at JFK / UMass.
“What’s today’s date?” “It’s Thursday.” Thursday teaches the importance of knowing the question before we respond. Thursday asked the photographer, whether or not he had everything he required to make pictures. Green as the day was gray, the photographer smiled affirmatively. Only when he failed to power on the analog camera did he realize the bigger picture.
As well as other types, digital and film cameras often used specialized primary batteries to produce a compact product.
A streak of carelessness ends with the first prep, the photographer thought to himself, as the extra batteries he bought peaked out at him.
The Globetrotters lost 100-99 to the NJ Reds in 1971, 52 years ago today, ending a 2,495-game winning streak.
“Don’t break the chain,” is a powerful mantra writes James Clear. Habit tracking is powerful because it leverages multiple Laws of Behavior Change at once. It makes a behavior obvious, attractive & satisfying.
Jerry Seinfeld explains he just never wants to “break the chain” of writing jokes.
The fog over Lakeside Cemetery appeared as a heavier blanket than on the city. I stood there in silence a moment before moving on.
Peanut butter cookie dough, by the way.
Daddy’s Dairy has a unique history, like many of us, changing over time into our ideal. The welcome jingle of the bell on the door reminded things pick up even on rainy days. The bell also makes a fine habit tracker, ringing upon customers’ arrival. Sticking with it on the toughest days made the difference, after all. Maybe film could somehow count the days I photograph.
John Minihan opened a handy store offering some ice cream novelties at first. I bet counting the cones he sold finally pushed him to sell more, or at least his son once he took over in ‘94. ‘05 welcomed 24 new flavors to the store. While ‘08 marked a year of difficulty for many, Minihan’s Handy Store brought some two hundred soft-serve and 75 hard-serve flavors of the cold stuff. Only the next year, in 2009, did the store convert into a shop, renamed Daddy’s Dairy.
In short, any task done long enough encourages you even more. Think Jerry and his jokes, Minihan’s five stores-strong franchise or the photog and his batteries. Keeping track of how long counts towards staying on track, even under the drizzle, thru the fog.
Post Summary
- The fourth Law of Behavior Change is make it satisfying.
- Tracking the progress of habits answers our desire to see progress, accomplishing three Laws of Behavior Change at once: making habits obvious, attractive, and satisfying.
- “Don’t break the chain” makes a strong image. Keeping in the chain of writing, reading, and photographing, I paid a visit to a nearby ice cream parlor, as The Focal Local.