cannon.baller.or.toe.dipper.

I just read an article about a different method of learning new habits where instead of trying to force the habit to occur by shear discipline (which I’m trying to do right now), you gradually ease yourself in. The example they gave was if you’re trying to wake up an hour earlier in the morning, instead of setting your alarm clock for the desired time and dragging yourself out of bed, you simply set your alarm clock one minute earlier every day until the desired time is achieved.

This got me to thinking about my theory that there are really two types of people.

Cannon ballers and toe dippers.

Cannon ballers walk up to the pool and jump right in without even thinking about it. They can’t stand the thought of easing their way into anything. They don’t mind the shock of jumping in the cold water, and I’d even venture to say that they get a rush out of it. They’re either in the pool or out of the pool, and there’s no in between.

Toe dippers are just the opposite. They sit on the edge of the pool and dangle their feet in the water until their feet are used to it. Then they slowly ease themselves into the shallow end and once their legs are used to the water, they slowly work their way out. And if the water isn’t a comfortable temperature, they don’t even get in.

I see it all the time on the beach. Some people just stand at the edge with their feet wet, and some people are out in the waves. It’s the same with life. That said, I’m not sure that this theory of forming habits holds true for everyone. I don’t think it would work with me. There’s no way I’d be able to wait 60 days to see the results of getting up an hour earlier. I’d lose patience and motivation and excitement.

Obviously I’m a cannon baller. What are you?