The Habit Poem – Who Am I?

A few years ago I received the following poem at a tennis coach’s conference from one of the speaker’s. The poem inspired me to reflect on my life. I realised that much of success and wellbeing in life is about mastering habits, which is one of the reasons, I called my business Habits for Wellbeing.

Lao Tzu has also been reported as saying – “Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”

Enjoy the poem below and feel free let me know if you agree!

WHO AM I?

I am your constant companion.
I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden.
I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.
I am completely at your command.
Half of the things you do you might as well turn over to me
and I will do them – quickly and correctly.
 
I am easily managed – you must be firm with me.
Show me exactly how you want something done
and after a few lessons, I will do it automatically.
 
I am the servant of all great people,
and alas, of all failures as well.
Those who are great, I have made great.
Those who are failures, I have made failures.
 
I am not a machine though
I work with the precision of a machine
plus the intelligence of a person.
You may run me for profit or run me for ruin
it makes no difference to me.
 
Take me,
train me,
be firm with me, and
I will place the world at your feet.
Be easy with me and I will destroy you.
WHO AM I?

 I AM HABIT!

– Author Unknown

Would you like some help with change your habits and mastering life? Why not join our free Habits for Wellbeing Toolkit?