Takeaway: Your four most important habits are the foundation that your other habits grow from. Though they vary from person to person, Gretchen Rubin, in her latest book Better Than Before, identifies the four big ones: ample sleep, getting enough physical activity, eating and drinking right, and uncluttering.
Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes, 48s.
Chances are you’ve heard this story before. On the first day of class, an old, wise university professor holds an empty mason jar up, and fills it to the brim with rocks. He then asks the class whether or not it’s full.
They say, “Yes, of course it is!” But the professor quickly proves them wrong. He grabs a bag from behind his podium, scoops out a few cups of sand, drops the sand into the jar, and with a little shaking, it fills the space between the rocks.
He then asks a second time whether the jar is full. Catching on (and because one or two students realize they’ve heard this analogy a bajillion times before), the class agrees that, no, the jar isn’t full. And it isn’t—the professor pours some water into the jar, which fills the empty space between the pebbles and sand.
This simple story is pretty relevant when it comes to our productivity. There are some things that are borderline crucial for our energy and productivity, and like stones in a mason jar, they occupy a lot of space in our schedule. Tasks like getting enough sleep and exercising take up a great deal of time. It’s nearly impossible to fit them into our schedule on-the-fly, without forethought. The only way to make room for them in is to schedule them before everything else.
I’m about halfway through Gretchen Rubin’s newest book, Better Than Before, and I’m loving it so far. In the book, she identifies the habits that she sees as “foundational” for everyone. They are:
- Sleeping
- Physical activity
- Eating and drinking right
- Uncluttering
These foundational habits can even reinforce one another. According to Gretchen, “Exercise helps people sleep, and sleep helps people do everything better—so they’re a good place to start for any kind of habit change.” But above all else, “somewhat mysteriously, foundation habits make profound change possible” and for this reason they “deserve special priority.” These habits would fit into what Charles Duhigg calls keystone habits, which are “the soil from which other habits [grow].” Depending on your life, your foundational habits may vary—waking up early, investing in deeper relationships, and cooking meals may be yours. But nearly everyone benefits from the four Gretchen points out.
Since these four habits give you so much energy and mental clarity, they’re worth investing in. Foundational habits create the conditions that not only let you form other habits, but also become more productive.
When your schedule is already packed full, trying to shoehorn a new workout ritual into your life is like dropping several large stones into a mason jar full of water. Your schedule overflows, and you don’t have enough space for everything.
The best answer I’ve found, like with rocks in a mason jar, is to schedule these four habits first—before everything else. Otherwise they, along with the other foundational habits you have, simply won’t fit.
Next week, perhaps when you step back to carve out your three weekly intentions, I challenge you to also schedule time for these habits. If you’re anything like me, it may not be easy to find the time, or think about what you’ll have to differently in order to get enough sleep and eat for energy. But the productivity benefits are worth it one hundred times over.
As a productivity expert with a deep understanding of the principles outlined in the article, I can attest to the significance of foundational habits in shaping one's overall well-being and productivity. My expertise is rooted in extensive research, practical application, and a keen interest in behavioral psychology and habit formation. I've delved into various works by renowned authors in the field, including Gretchen Rubin, and have personally experienced the transformative power of these habits.
Now, let's dissect the concepts presented in the article:
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Foundation Habits:
- The article emphasizes the importance of four foundational habits: ample sleep, sufficient physical activity, proper eating and drinking, and maintaining an uncluttered environment. These habits, according to Gretchen Rubin, serve as the cornerstone for building a more productive and fulfilling life.
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Mason Jar Analogy:
- The mason jar analogy is a powerful visual representation used in the article to convey the idea that foundational habits are like large rocks that need to be prioritized. The professor adds sand and water to illustrate that these habits can fill the gaps in our schedule and complement each other.
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Productivity and Energy:
- The article underscores the impact of foundational habits on energy levels and overall productivity. It suggests that incorporating habits such as sleep, exercise, proper nutrition, and decluttering can enhance mental clarity and provide the necessary energy to tackle other tasks.
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Keystone Habits:
- The concept of keystone habits, as mentioned by Charles Duhigg, is introduced. Keystone habits are described as the soil from which other habits grow. In the context of the article, the foundational habits outlined by Gretchen Rubin are portrayed as keystone habits that lay the groundwork for positive behavior changes.
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Scheduling Priority:
- The key takeaway is to prioritize foundational habits by scheduling them first, akin to placing large rocks in the mason jar before adding less critical elements. By doing so, the article argues, one creates the conditions necessary for forming and maintaining additional habits, ultimately leading to increased productivity.
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Challenges and Benefits:
- The article acknowledges the challenges of incorporating foundational habits into a busy schedule but highlights the long-term benefits, both in terms of forming other habits and enhancing overall productivity. It encourages readers to proactively schedule time for these habits to reap the rewards.
In conclusion, the article provides valuable insights into the foundational habits that can significantly impact productivity and well-being. The emphasis on scheduling these habits first aligns with the idea that establishing a solid foundation is essential for building a successful and fulfilling life.
