First, Do Some Harm

The worst vices to shake are the ones that don’t hurt anyone but yourself.

If you have a raging temper and frequently fly off the handle, that hurts people. While that’s bad, it does provide one benefit – when you try to shake that vice (as you should!), you’ll have lots of encouragement. You’ll have plenty of reminders if you falter, and hopefully at least some positive reinforcement as you grow.

But some vices only hurt your own body, mind, or soul. They don’t have obvious repercussions to the outside world, and so it’s far easier to justify the indulgence when you feel the urge to do so, whatever it might be.

I say “obvious” repercussions because truly, you’re always harming someone when you’re not your best self. If you aren’t everything you could be, then you’re not as present for the people you love. So use that as a framing. Imagine that you had to appoint another person to be the parent of your children, the friend of your closest companions, the spouse of your partner, the child of your parents – because you had to leave. If you were choosing the person who would take care of your loved ones in your stead, would you choose someone with your worst vice? Or would you choose someone who had a virtuous spirit?

Become the person you would appoint. Know the harm, and use that in your most vulnerable moments to stay strong.