General Essay Examples

A Habit I Would Like To Change Overcoming Poor Habits

This guide explores how to write an essay about changing a personal habit. It features a detailed sample essay on overcoming procrastination, complete with an analysis of its structure, thesis, evidence, and tone. Learn practical strategies for identifying a habit, planning its modification, and presenting your experience effectively. Includes actionable advice for students and professionals aiming to improve their writing on personal development topics.

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Key considerations

Clearly define the habit you want to change and explain its specific negative impacts.

Structure your essay logically: introduce the problem, detail its effects, outline your strategies, acknowledge challenges, and conclude with potential benefits.

Use specific examples and anecdotes from your own experience to illustrate your points.

Maintain a reflective, honest, and determined tone, showing self-awareness and a commitment to improvement.

Assignment brief

Write a personal essay (500-700 words) detailing a habit you wish to change. Describe the habit, explain why it is detrimental, outline the steps you have taken or plan to take to overcome it, and reflect on the challenges and potential benefits of successfully changing this behavior.

Reference example

The persistent hum of the notification, a tiny red badge on my phone screen, has become the soundtrack to my daily struggle. Procrastination, specifically the digital kind fueled by social media and endless online articles, is a habit I desperately need to break. It’s not just about wasted minutes; it’s about the erosion of productivity, the creeping anxiety of deadlines unmet, and the quiet disappointment in myself for not living up to my own potential.

My procrastination habit manifests most strongly in the hours I’ve designated for focused work. Instead of diving into a challenging report or a complex coding problem, I find myself reaching for my phone. A quick check of emails morphs into scrolling through news feeds, which then spirals into watching unrelated YouTube videos. Each brief detour feels insignificant at the moment, a harmless five-minute break. However, these fragments accumulate, often consuming an entire morning or afternoon. The initial task, which might have taken an hour of concentrated effort, ends up taking three times as long, spread thinly across numerous distractions. This pattern leaves me feeling drained and guilty, a cycle that only reinforces the habit.

The detrimental effects are manifold. Academically, it means rushed assignments, lower quality work, and missed opportunities for deeper learning. Professionally, it translates to missed deadlines, strained client relationships, and a reputation for unreliability. On a personal level, it chips away at my self-esteem. The constant awareness of tasks left undone creates a background level of stress that can impact my mood and overall well-being. I often feel like I’m running on a treadmill, expending a lot of energy but not truly moving forward.

Recognizing the problem is the first, albeit difficult, step. My strategy for overcoming this habit involves a multi-pronged approach. Firstly, I’m implementing stricter time management techniques. I’ve started using the Pomodoro Technique, working in focused 25-minute intervals followed by a 5-minute break. Crucially, these breaks are not to be spent on my phone. Instead, I use them to stretch, get a glass of water, or simply look out the window. This structured approach helps break down daunting tasks into manageable chunks and provides clear signals for when to return to work.

Secondly, I’m actively modifying my environment. My phone is now placed in a different room during dedicated work periods. This physical separation creates a barrier that requires conscious effort to overcome, making impulsive checking less likely. I’ve also disabled non-essential notifications on my computer and phone, reducing the constant digital 'pings' that lure me away. For tasks requiring extensive online research, I’ve begun using website blockers like Freedom or Cold Turkey to temporarily restrict access to distracting sites during work hours.

Thirdly, I’m focusing on building positive reinforcement. When I successfully complete a Pomodoro session without succumbing to distraction, I acknowledge it. This might be a mental pat on the back, or perhaps a slightly longer, guilt-free break after completing a significant chunk of work. I’m also trying to replace the habit with a more productive one. Instead of reaching for my phone when I feel a moment of boredom or uncertainty, I’m trying to pick up a book or jot down ideas in a notebook.

The challenges are significant. The allure of instant gratification from digital distractions is powerful. There are days when the urge to check social media feels overwhelming, and I slip back into old patterns. The initial discomfort of resisting these urges can be intense. Furthermore, societal norms often encourage constant connectivity, making it feel odd to be unavailable or disconnected for extended periods.

However, the potential benefits are immense. Reclaiming those lost hours means more time for meaningful work, personal projects, and genuine relaxation. It means reduced stress, improved focus, and a greater sense of accomplishment. Ultimately, overcoming this habit is about regaining control over my time and attention, allowing me to be more present and effective in all aspects of my life. It’s a slow, deliberate process, but one I believe is essential for my personal and professional growth.

Analysis of the Sample Essay: 'A Habit I Would Like to Change'

This essay provides a clear and relatable example of how to approach the common assignment prompt of discussing a habit one wishes to change. It effectively balances personal reflection with practical strategies, demonstrating a thoughtful engagement with the topic. The following analysis breaks down its structure, argumentation, and style to highlight effective writing techniques.

Thesis and Claim

The essay establishes a clear central claim early on: the author's habit of digital procrastination is detrimental and requires conscious effort to overcome. This isn't just stated; it's woven throughout the narrative. The thesis isn't a single, isolated sentence but rather an evolving understanding presented across the introduction and subsequent paragraphs. The author doesn't merely state 'I procrastinate'; they articulate how (digital distractions), why it's bad (wasted time, anxiety, reduced quality), and what they're doing about it (specific strategies). This layered approach makes the argument more convincing and personal.

Structure and Organization

Introduction: Sets the scene with a vivid sensory detail (notification hum) and clearly identifies the habit (digital procrastination) and its negative impact.
Body Paragraph 1 (Manifestation): Details how the habit occurs, illustrating the process of getting sidetracked by phone usage.
Body Paragraph 2 (Detrimental Effects): Explains the consequences of the habit across academic, professional, and personal spheres, providing justification for the desire to change.
Body Paragraphs 3-5 (Strategies): Outlines concrete steps being taken to overcome the habit. This section is crucial, moving beyond mere description to active problem-solving. It's broken down into logical categories: time management (Pomodoro), environmental modification (phone placement, notification disabling), and positive reinforcement/replacement.
Body Paragraph 6 (Challenges): Acknowledges the difficulties involved, adding realism and demonstrating self-awareness.
Conclusion: Summarizes the potential benefits of change and reiterates the importance of the effort, offering a forward-looking perspective.

The organization follows a logical progression: identify problem -> explain impact -> propose solutions -> acknowledge difficulties -> envision benefits. This structure is easy to follow and effectively builds the case for the author's commitment to change.

Evidence and Examples

While this is a personal essay, the 'evidence' comes from lived experience and specific observations. The author doesn't cite external studies, but relies on: * Anecdotal description: The 'quick check of emails morphs into scrolling...' paints a clear picture. * Specific techniques: Mentioning the 'Pomodoro Technique,' 'Freedom or Cold Turkey,' and 'disabling non-essential notifications' provides concrete details about the strategies. * Impactful consequences: Describing 'rushed assignments, lower quality work, and missed opportunities' or 'strained client relationships' serves as evidence of the habit's harm. * Sensory details: The 'tiny red badge' and 'persistent hum' make the experience relatable.

Tone and Voice

The tone is reflective, honest, and determined. The author doesn't shy away from admitting fault ('quiet disappointment in myself,' 'guilty') but maintains a proactive and hopeful outlook. The use of 'I' statements is consistent, reinforcing the personal nature of the essay. The language is accessible yet precise, avoiding overly casual phrasing while still feeling authentic. Phrases like 'erosion of productivity,' 'creeping anxiety,' and 'chips away at my self-esteem' convey the seriousness of the issue without being overly dramatic.

Revision Opportunities and Strengths

Strength: Clear identification of the habit and its specific manifestation.
Strength: Well-defined explanation of negative consequences.
Strength: Practical, actionable strategies are detailed.
Strength: Honest acknowledgment of challenges adds credibility.
Strength: Reflective and determined tone.
Potential Revision: While effective, the essay could be strengthened further by incorporating a brief reflection on why this specific habit formed (e.g., underlying causes like fear of failure, perfectionism, or seeking dopamine hits).
Potential Revision: The conclusion could perhaps offer a slightly more concrete vision of success – what would life look like after successfully breaking the habit?
Potential Revision: Depending on the assignment's scope, adding a brief mention of seeking external support (e.g., talking to a friend, mentor, or therapist) could be relevant.

Example of Elaborating on a Strategy

Instead of just saying 'I'll use my phone less,' the essay elaborates: 'My phone is now placed in a different room during dedicated work periods. This physical separation creates a barrier that requires conscious effort to overcome, making impulsive checking less likely. I’ve also disabled non-essential notifications on my computer and phone, reducing the constant digital 'pings' that lure me away.' This level of detail shows the reader how the strategy works in practice, making it more convincing.

FAQs

How detailed should I be about the negative effects of the habit?

Be specific and honest. Explain how the habit affects different areas of your life – academic, professional, social, or personal well-being. Quantifying the impact where possible (e.g., 'wasted hours,' 'missed deadlines') can be effective, but qualitative descriptions of feelings (e.g., 'anxiety,' 'guilt,' 'disappointment') are equally important for a personal essay.

What if my strategies aren't working perfectly yet?

That's perfectly fine and expected for a personal essay. The key is to show that you are actively trying and reflecting on the process. Acknowledging challenges and setbacks makes your essay more realistic and demonstrates maturity. You can discuss what you've learned from attempts that didn't go as planned and how you intend to adjust your approach.

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