Daily Habits

It is advisable to commit oneself to a few noble acts every day: take a long walk in the morning; or, better yet, engage in vigorous exercise; take stock of your daily victories and failures in stoic fashion; read a hard book with attention; write for yourself; chase a question of your own down its every nook and cranny — in short, do a few things that reliably elevate your day. Commit to it, and be hard on yourself. One’s confidence or shame is in large part determined by his ability to keep promises, most of all the quiet ones he makes to himself.