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The Acquisition of a New Habit

“In the acquisition of a new habit, or the leaving off of an old one, we must take care to launch ourselves with as strong and decided an initiative as possible.

• Accumulate all the possible circumstances which shall re-enforce the right motives;

• Put yourself assiduously in conditions that encourage the new way;

• Make engagements incompatible with the old;

• Take a public pledge, if the case allows;

In short, envelope your resolution with every aid you know. This will give your new beginning such a momentum that the temptation to break down will not occur as soon as it otherwise might; and every day during which a breakdown is postponed adds to the chances of its not occurring at all.”