The crow and the pitcher
A thirsty crow stumbled upon a pitcher, which had once been full of water.
But when the crow put its beak into the mouth of the vessel, she found that only very little water was left in it, and that she could not reach far enough down to get at it.
Try as she might, she could not reach. She had thought about tipping the pitcher in one swift and easy move - but couldn't risk spilling all the water. She had almost given up in despair.
Then a thought came to her.
She took a pebble and dropped it into the pitcher. Then she took another one and dropped it in. And so on, she continued.
At last, she saw the water mount up near the top, and after casting in a few more pebbles she was able to reach down and quench her thirst.
She thought to herself:
Little by little did the trick
(Aesop's Fables, Perry index 390)
Habits are hard-wired and, by their nature, difficult to change in one swift move. Quick and easy solutions aren't always possible or effective.
To enact real change (those that are truly worthwhile and form positive habits) requires: a desire/need, a plan, small actionable steps, and the discipline to carry them out.
When one set of actions or behaviours has served us well in the past, it is tempting just to repeat them in new situations - even if they don't work as well anymore.
Habits are also a shortcut to fall back on when we have not planned ahead or a coping mechanism in times of pressure and stress.
It is generally easier to do what is familiar rather than risk trying out new ways of doing things. Sometimes our habits may not be that helpful in the first place.
Consider:
Are you attached to any study habits or patterns of behaviour that are not really helping your current study or work?
- If so, what do you need to change?
- Is there one small step you can take to get things going?
Reflect on what you can do
What habits would you like change or form? List some steps that you could try.
More from Bloomsbury
Feeling inspired to shape new habits? Have a read of Skills for Success by Stella Cottrell to find out how this not only helps your studies but your employability too.
