Catholic Summary of Superhuman by Habit by Tynan

Here are 2 “Catholic” insights from Tynan’s book, Superhuman by Habit: A Guide to Becoming the Best Possible Version of Yourself, One Tiny Habit at a Time. 

#1: Invest your limited willpower.

Since we all have a limited amount of willpower each day, we need to focus on investing that limited resource into creating habits.

Why? Because habits, which are behaviours you perform on autopilot, are not a drain on your limited willpower.

“The glorious benefit of a habit is that it converts something that requires a lot of willpower and focus into something that becomes automatic and often outside of our conscious thought.” – Tynan

Ask yourself: How can I best invest my limited amount of willpower today?

When you see your willpower as an investment, you’ll be more motivated to use it wisely. The better you get at investing your willpower into implementing good habits, the easier it will become to establish more good habits.

2 Catholic thoughts: (1) If you want to start praying daily with Scripture, see that decision as an investment of willpower that will pay huge dividends in the future, not as a spending of willpower with no future gain; (2) Every time you decide to drop by the adoration chapel, you are investing your limited amount of willpower into something of eternal value!

Invest your limited willpower… in an accountability partner.

If you have low willpower with a new habit, have a friend hold you accountable. Make it concrete and easy for him to hold you accountable. Report progress at regular intervals too. 

“There must be consequences for failure. It makes the agreement official and definite.” – Tynan

#2: Master the process.

Focusing on results – especially on short-term results – is one of the best ways to add stress to your life and prevent yourself from developing a new habit.

Instead of being consumed with results, focus on mastering the process.

“The Christian life is a continuous beginning again each day. It renews itself over and over.” — St. Josemaria Escriva

Be patient as you try to master the process.

“I have learned that the greatest power is hidden in patience. I see that patience always leads to victory, although not immediately; but that victory will become manifest after many years. ” — St. Faustina

Remember, habits are supposed to make your life better.

Don’t say “I’m bad at this”… say “I’m better than this!” – Tynan

“To humble ourselves, to suffer our imperfections with patience, this is true sanctity, the source of peace.” – St. Therese of Lisieux

Master the process… by never skipping twice.

If you miss a habit one day, make it the #1 priority the next day!  Missing 1 day = reduces your chance of long-term success by 5%. Missing 2 days = reduces your chance of long-term success by 40%. Missing 3 days = you may as well start over.

“Missing two days of a habit is like habit suicide.” – Tynan

Master the process… by doing a terrible job.

It is far better to persevere and do a crappy job than to skip a day because you’ll be eager to improve the next day.

“If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing poorly.” – G.K. Chesterton