Ever-finer grades of committments

by phil on Sunday Jan 18, 2009 6:42 PM
interesting-looking text, meta-life-change

Who says we don't have free will?

(Sort of in increasing order of level of commitment)

A thought comes to your mind, "I want to exercise more"

A thought comes to your mind, "I need to exercise more"

A thought comes to your mind, "I need to exercise more in 2009"

A thought comes to your mind, "I will exercise more in 2009"

You make an effort to say, in your mind, "I will exercise more in 2009"

You make an effort to say, in your mind, "My New Year's Resolution is to exercise more in 2009"

You make an effort to say, in your mind, on New Year's Day, "My New Year's Resolution is to exercise more in 2009"

You say, aloud, to yourself, "My New Year's Resolution is to exercise more in 2009"

You say, aloud, with one other person hearing, "My New Year's Resolution is to exercise more in 2009"

You say, aloud, in a group setting, "My New Year's Resolution is to exercise more in 2009"

You write down on a piece of paper, "My New Year's Resolution is to exercise more in 2009" but you throw the paper away later

You write on your blog, "My New Year's Resolution is to exercise more in 2009"

You write down on a piece of paper, "My New Year's Resolution is to exercise more in 2009" and you tape the paper to your computer

You write down on a piece of paper, "My New Year's Resolution is to exercise more in 2009" and you keep it in your wallet