https://rickbaker.ca/category/habits-good-habits-bad-habits-new-things/ Rick Baker's Thought Posts — plain-spoken writing on leadership, business values, communication, habits, and the people side of building a business. Publishing since 2008. en-ca https://rickbaker.ca/post/organized-people-get-work-done-disorganized-people-get-work-repeated/https://rickbaker.ca/post/organized-people-get-work-done-disorganized-people-get-work-repeated/Wed, 23 Jun 2021 07:04:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Disorganization = more errors = more fixing of errors = repeated work. And, of course, disorganization consumes time and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-benefit-when-someone-or-something-makes-us-do-what-we-can/https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-benefit-when-someone-or-something-makes-us-do-what-we-can/Tue, 15 Jun 2021 07:28:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Even the great Ralph Waldo Emerson needed that sort of help. Emerson said, " What I most need is somebody to make me do what I… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-chase-your-tail-literally-you-get-tired-when-you-chase-your-tail-figuratively-you-get-nowhere/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-chase-your-tail-literally-you-get-tired-when-you-chase-your-tail-figuratively-you-get-nowhere/Fri, 11 Jun 2021 07:04:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Bad Habits are a lot like chasing your tail. They consume energy and take you away from your long-term goals. Loss of Focus and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/fear-is-a-an-impulse-b-a-habit-c-a-disease/https://rickbaker.ca/post/fear-is-a-an-impulse-b-a-habit-c-a-disease/Sat, 05 Jun 2021 07:33:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet That's a quote from Frank Channing Haddock's ' The Culture of Courage ', (1910). What an interesting view of fear. What an… https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-let-yourself-get-so-busy-you-let-situations-catch-you-unpreparedanticipate-situations-plan-ahead/https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-let-yourself-get-so-busy-you-let-situations-catch-you-unpreparedanticipate-situations-plan-ahead/Tue, 01 Jun 2021 07:57:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet So many people think they are ' too busy ' when the reality is they are 'too unprepared'. They live a business life consumed by… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-greatest-of-leaders-change-themselves-they-mould-their-character-to-remove-the-bad-habits-that-prevent-leadership/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-greatest-of-leaders-change-themselves-they-mould-their-character-to-remove-the-bad-habits-that-prevent-leadership/Mon, 31 May 2021 07:03:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Sometimes they replace combative attitudes with kind attitudes. Sometimes they toughen up their softness. Either way they mould… https://rickbaker.ca/post/inspire-business-people-by-letting-them-know-that-you-know-what-they-do-when-they-are-at-work/https://rickbaker.ca/post/inspire-business-people-by-letting-them-know-that-you-know-what-they-do-when-they-are-at-work/Sun, 30 May 2021 07:44:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet If you believe people know what you do when you are at work then check again ...you may be quite surprised to find others have… https://rickbaker.ca/post/two-keys-to-beating-your-competition-start-finish/https://rickbaker.ca/post/two-keys-to-beating-your-competition-start-finish/Fri, 21 May 2021 07:00:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet If you make a habit of doing these two things, you will be leaps & bounds ahead of the pack. Sure, there are many other things… https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-never-tire-of-fighting-the-same-battles-using-the-same-weapons-meeting-the-same-defeats-what-peculiar-stamina/https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-never-tire-of-fighting-the-same-battles-using-the-same-weapons-meeting-the-same-defeats-what-peculiar-stamina/Sat, 08 May 2021 07:45:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet It seems some people never tire of experiencing the same old problems. What peculiar stamina! Perhaps most of us appear that… https://rickbaker.ca/post/mediocrity-happens-when-we-live-under-the-wings-of-our-bad-habits-habits-2021/https://rickbaker.ca/post/mediocrity-happens-when-we-live-under-the-wings-of-our-bad-habits-habits-2021/Tue, 27 Apr 2021 07:26:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Bad Habits follow us like shadows. Bad Habits make us mediocre. We can replace Bad Habits with Good Habits ...it's a matter of… https://rickbaker.ca/post/over-2000-years-ago-roman-stoics-developed-the-habit-of-waiting-a-day-before-beating-slaves-who-had-erred/https://rickbaker.ca/post/over-2000-years-ago-roman-stoics-developed-the-habit-of-waiting-a-day-before-beating-slaves-who-had-erred/Fri, 16 Apr 2021 07:24:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Speaking of Good Habits & Constructive Criticism... If those ancient Romans could have that kind of self-control, just think… https://rickbaker.ca/post/its-okay-to-yell-and-scream-at-workcelebrations-do-not-have-to-be-subdued/https://rickbaker.ca/post/its-okay-to-yell-and-scream-at-workcelebrations-do-not-have-to-be-subdued/Sun, 04 Apr 2021 07:04:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Baby Boomers , an interesting ' generation ': grew up under pressure ...watched the first steps on the moon...survived disco… https://rickbaker.ca/post/strategies-for-managing-error-induced-anxiety-can-lead-to-happier-more-productive-lives/https://rickbaker.ca/post/strategies-for-managing-error-induced-anxiety-can-lead-to-happier-more-productive-lives/Thu, 01 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When we make errors we feel at least a little anxiety . Anxiety is a dangerous state of mind because it can lead to rumination… https://rickbaker.ca/post/mediocrity-happens-when-we-live-under-the-wings-of-our-bad-habits-habits/https://rickbaker.ca/post/mediocrity-happens-when-we-live-under-the-wings-of-our-bad-habits-habits/Tue, 30 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Bad Habits follow us like shadows. Bad Habits make us mediocre. We can replace Bad Habits with Good Habits ...it's a matter of… https://rickbaker.ca/post/pervasive-habits-take-us-both-to-and-from-elusive-goals-habits-goals/https://rickbaker.ca/post/pervasive-habits-take-us-both-to-and-from-elusive-goals-habits-goals/Sat, 27 Mar 2021 07:21:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet The more elusive the goal, the more pervasive the habit. Pervasive habits are like governors ...some are good while some are… https://rickbaker.ca/post/problems-are-like-icebergs-the-biggest-parts-of-them-are-below-the-surface-2021-03-23/https://rickbaker.ca/post/problems-are-like-icebergs-the-biggest-parts-of-them-are-below-the-surface-2021-03-23/Tue, 23 Mar 2021 07:16:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We human beings have a curious habit. We tend to express problems in ways that conceal the real sources of our 'pain'. I… https://rickbaker.ca/post/habits-come-in-two-flavours-green-for-good-and-red-for-bad-when-you-influence-others-dont-make-them-see-red/https://rickbaker.ca/post/habits-come-in-two-flavours-green-for-good-and-red-for-bad-when-you-influence-others-dont-make-them-see-red/Fri, 12 Mar 2021 07:33:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet People Do Only 3 Things: Good Habits, Bad Habits & New Things. [ a link to over 300 posts About Habits ] There are only 2 ways… https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-cannot-be-worried-be-angry-be-frustrated-and-make-money/https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-cannot-be-worried-be-angry-be-frustrated-and-make-money/Thu, 25 Feb 2021 07:23:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet You can be habitually worried, angry, and frustrated...many people prove that. But, how many successful people have you met who… https://rickbaker.ca/post/what-habit-thing-lurks-around-urgency-and-allows-it-to-beat-importance-time-after-time/https://rickbaker.ca/post/what-habit-thing-lurks-around-urgency-and-allows-it-to-beat-importance-time-after-time/Thu, 18 Feb 2021 07:44:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When we face urgent situations they almost always capture our attention and action...even if we know we should be doing… https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-know-you-need-to-take-small-side-steps-to-get-out-of-a-bad-habit-ruts/https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-know-you-need-to-take-small-side-steps-to-get-out-of-a-bad-habit-ruts/Fri, 05 Feb 2021 07:02:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Habits exist in loops of brain circuitry. [Or, at least, that's a description that allows us to understand and address Habits.]… https://rickbaker.ca/post/success-key-find-the-growth-that-aligns-with-both-the-pessimists-good-habits-and-the-optimists-interests-in-new-things/https://rickbaker.ca/post/success-key-find-the-growth-that-aligns-with-both-the-pessimists-good-habits-and-the-optimists-interests-in-new-things/Tue, 02 Feb 2021 07:32:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet The common ground where optimists and pessimists can stand together and self-actualize together is – Growth ....all… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-greatest-of-leaders-overcome-their-bad-habits-they-mould-their-character-to-improve-their-ability-to-influence-others/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-greatest-of-leaders-overcome-their-bad-habits-they-mould-their-character-to-improve-their-ability-to-influence-others/Sat, 23 Jan 2021 07:10:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Sometimes they replace combative ways with kindness; sometimes they replace softer ways with assertiveness. Other times they… https://rickbaker.ca/post/willpower-consumes-energy-energy-is-scarce-use-willpower-wisely-use-it-and-lose-it/https://rickbaker.ca/post/willpower-consumes-energy-energy-is-scarce-use-willpower-wisely-use-it-and-lose-it/Wed, 06 Jan 2021 07:41:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Willpower must be one of the human body's most energy-intensive processes. We must exercise willpower or it becomes weak. We… https://rickbaker.ca/post/fear-is-neither-our-birthright-nor-our-destinyit-is-simply-a-bad-habit-we-picked-up-and-chose-to-live-withor-overcome/https://rickbaker.ca/post/fear-is-neither-our-birthright-nor-our-destinyit-is-simply-a-bad-habit-we-picked-up-and-chose-to-live-withor-overcome/Thu, 24 Dec 2020 07:43:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet To overcome fear people must do small amounts of the thing they fear and experience small successes. Positive thinking is… https://rickbaker.ca/post/heres-a-definition-of-mediocrity-living-in-bad-habit-shadows/https://rickbaker.ca/post/heres-a-definition-of-mediocrity-living-in-bad-habit-shadows/Wed, 23 Dec 2020 07:17:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Bad Habits follow us like shadows. Bad Habits make us mediocre. We can replace Bad Habits with Good Habits ...it's a matter of… https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-comment-for-the-media-bad-news-does-not-have-to-make-such-good-news/https://rickbaker.ca/post/a-comment-for-the-media-bad-news-does-not-have-to-make-such-good-news/Mon, 21 Dec 2020 07:20:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We can choose to avoid or choose to limit our exposure to negative situations , experiences, and people . Bad news does not… https://rickbaker.ca/post/willpower-we-use-it-or-it-slips-away-on-us-willpower/https://rickbaker.ca/post/willpower-we-use-it-or-it-slips-away-on-us-willpower/Sat, 19 Dec 2020 07:25:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Willpower , like any other good habit , demands much energy. So, we must use it wisely and regularly. We must drain it, rebuild… https://rickbaker.ca/post/discontent-regardless-of-how-it-is-packaged-just-may-be-the-best-vehicle-for-positive-change/https://rickbaker.ca/post/discontent-regardless-of-how-it-is-packaged-just-may-be-the-best-vehicle-for-positive-change/Tue, 01 Dec 2020 07:02:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Some people live to change. For example, some people embrace life-long learning . Others find a lifetime of change by embracing… https://rickbaker.ca/post/curiosity-moderation-variety-are-the-archenemies-of-bad-habits/https://rickbaker.ca/post/curiosity-moderation-variety-are-the-archenemies-of-bad-habits/Sun, 22 Nov 2020 07:26:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Q: Why are certain habits called Bad Habits ? A: Because they reduce the ability to achieve our Goals ? Q: How might we change… https://rickbaker.ca/post/heres-a-good-habit-test-your-decisions-against-the-values-you-hold-dearest/https://rickbaker.ca/post/heres-a-good-habit-test-your-decisions-against-the-values-you-hold-dearest/Wed, 11 Nov 2020 07:11:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet You will find decision-making becomes easier and 'less conflicted' when you develop the habit of testing your decisions against… https://rickbaker.ca/post/creativity-feeds-and-growsdepending-on-the-calibre-of-its-dominating-questions/https://rickbaker.ca/post/creativity-feeds-and-growsdepending-on-the-calibre-of-its-dominating-questions/Mon, 09 Nov 2020 07:39:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Curiosity is the precursor to Creativity . We see Curiosity in young children...they approach life as if it is a question… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-say-i-dont-have-time-what-are-you-really-thinking-why-not-communicate-that-real-information-instead/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-you-say-i-dont-have-time-what-are-you-really-thinking-why-not-communicate-that-real-information-instead/Tue, 03 Nov 2020 07:00:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Saying " I don't have time " and " I'm too busy " ... those are bad habits. They are bad habits that show how a person can… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-develop-more-self-control-start-by-setting-goals/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-develop-more-self-control-start-by-setting-goals/Sat, 24 Oct 2020 07:05:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet No point getting chicken-and-egg bogged down thinking about what comes first - goals or self-control. No point debating whether… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-influence-others-influence-yourself-first-make-little-changes-for-the-better-thats-a-good-habit-to-share/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-want-to-influence-others-influence-yourself-first-make-little-changes-for-the-better-thats-a-good-habit-to-share/Tue, 20 Oct 2020 07:52:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet All great leaders make major changes to their way of dealing with 'their personal challenges' and their way of interacting with… https://rickbaker.ca/post/its-ok-to-have-an-ego-its-not-ok-when-an-ego-has-you-ego/https://rickbaker.ca/post/its-ok-to-have-an-ego-its-not-ok-when-an-ego-has-you-ego/Mon, 19 Oct 2020 07:03:00 -0500The Thought Behind The Tweet When it comes to ego, I believe moderation is the right course. Eastern philosophies teach the merits of reduction of… https://rickbaker.ca/post/most-people-dont-notice-they-are-problem-magnets-attracting-an-ongoing-series-of-similar-problems/https://rickbaker.ca/post/most-people-dont-notice-they-are-problem-magnets-attracting-an-ongoing-series-of-similar-problems/Sun, 18 Oct 2020 07:18:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Many of us don't see the problems coming let alone see we are the specialists who create them. For some people - problems get… https://rickbaker.ca/post/persistence-is-self-discipline-in-thought-then-action-self-discipline/https://rickbaker.ca/post/persistence-is-self-discipline-in-thought-then-action-self-discipline/Fri, 09 Oct 2020 07:21:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet Brian Tracy said, " Persistence is self-discipline in action. " I believe desired Actions are always preceded by desired… https://rickbaker.ca/post/perfectionists-show-us-how-natural-talents-can-create-bad-habits-that-out-muscle-willpower/https://rickbaker.ca/post/perfectionists-show-us-how-natural-talents-can-create-bad-habits-that-out-muscle-willpower/Mon, 05 Oct 2020 07:06:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Attention to Detail is a valuable leadership tool...unless it takes over its owner. Too much of a Good Habit = a Bad Habit… https://rickbaker.ca/post/disciplined-thoughts-lead-to-successful-actions-habits/https://rickbaker.ca/post/disciplined-thoughts-lead-to-successful-actions-habits/Mon, 07 Sep 2020 07:21:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Or, we could just leave things to chance and self-confidence...however, at the very least, that would deprive us of the… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-has-two-forms-one-is-creative-the-other-is-not/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-has-two-forms-one-is-creative-the-other-is-not/Sat, 22 Aug 2020 07:34:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet It seems I am on the verge of concluding Thought is either Creative or Destructive...never in between the two. Our Creative… https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-think-about-how-you-act-at-work-do-you-think-about-how-you-think-at-work/https://rickbaker.ca/post/you-think-about-how-you-act-at-work-do-you-think-about-how-you-think-at-work/Sat, 15 Aug 2020 07:28:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet While at work... you think you act While at work... you act without thinking...i.e., your habits kick in and you act in rote… https://rickbaker.ca/post/problems-are-like-icebergs-their-most-damaging-parts-are-below-the-surface/https://rickbaker.ca/post/problems-are-like-icebergs-their-most-damaging-parts-are-below-the-surface/Wed, 12 Aug 2020 07:51:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We human beings have a curious habit. We tend to express problems in ways that conceal the real sources of our 'pain'. I… https://rickbaker.ca/post/expanding-good-habits-that-is-lifes-major-construction/https://rickbaker.ca/post/expanding-good-habits-that-is-lifes-major-construction/Fri, 31 Jul 2020 07:00:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Our Habits define us. Our Good Habits will be viewed positively by other people...assuming the other people are thoughtful and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/pervasive-habits-take-us-both-to-and-from-elusive-goals-habits/https://rickbaker.ca/post/pervasive-habits-take-us-both-to-and-from-elusive-goals-habits/Fri, 24 Jul 2020 07:47:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Your choices, whether intentional or not, become your habits. Pervasive habits are like governors ...some good and some bad… https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-you-think-we-ought-to-celebrate-our-good-habits-more-often/https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-you-think-we-ought-to-celebrate-our-good-habits-more-often/Thu, 23 Jul 2020 07:58:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet People Only Do 3 Things: Good Habits, Bad Habits, & New Things. Urged on by well-meaning friends, not-so-well-meaning foes, and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-can-alter-our-emotions-we-can-for-example-reduce-the-emotion-of-anger-from-high-to-low/https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-can-alter-our-emotions-we-can-for-example-reduce-the-emotion-of-anger-from-high-to-low/Tue, 14 Jul 2020 07:49:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet In his 1918 classic, ' The Greatest Thing In The World ', Henry Drummond wrote, " Hence it is not enough to deal with Temper… https://rickbaker.ca/post/change-happens-when-people-experience-new-things-as-in-good-habits-bad-habits-new-things/https://rickbaker.ca/post/change-happens-when-people-experience-new-things-as-in-good-habits-bad-habits-new-things/Mon, 29 Jun 2020 07:53:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet And, those 3 things - that’s all people do. People Only Do 3 Things: Good Habits, Bad Habits, New Things. Here's a link to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/plan-to-repeat-repeat-repeatthats-one-key-to-teaching-inspiring-influencing-people/https://rickbaker.ca/post/plan-to-repeat-repeat-repeatthats-one-key-to-teaching-inspiring-influencing-people/Thu, 11 Jun 2020 07:33:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." Benjamin Franklin When we observe repetition, we… https://rickbaker.ca/post/bad-habits-make-no-one-feel-good/https://rickbaker.ca/post/bad-habits-make-no-one-feel-good/Tue, 02 Jun 2020 07:12:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Taking us away from our goals...annoying us and annoying other people. That's the essence, the definition, of Bad Habits . https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-people-take-the-same-route-to-work-every-dayif-that-route-is-blocked-they-dont-get-to-work/https://rickbaker.ca/post/some-people-take-the-same-route-to-work-every-dayif-that-route-is-blocked-they-dont-get-to-work/Thu, 21 May 2020 07:04:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Human Beings all creatures of habit. While considering our goals we always have many routes to achieve them. However, sometimes…