Broken Windows Theory

If I could give you only 1 piece of advice, this would be it

In 1982, criminologists James Q. Wilson and George Kelling came up with what is now called ‘The Broken Windows theory’ that then explained the New York City crime epidemic in 70s.

The big apple was rife with abnormally high no. of crimes being reported every single day. But, by the 90s the no. of average crimes reported suddenly started to dip.

What changed?

Well, they fixed the broken windows.

I know you are confused.

Let me explain.

In a neighborhood, when 1 window breaks and is left unprepared, people walking by will conclude that no one cares and that no one is in charge.

Soon, 2 more broken windows appear, then some graffiti on the walls, throw in garbage, spit and urine, this neighborhood now signals anarchy, a state of utter disorder without any authority in charge.

This state of carelessness and negligence invites crime because if the neighborhood can’t keep an unfortunate homeless drug addict from bothering the passerby's it is even less likely to call the police to identify a potential thief or to interfere if the theft actually takes place.

Conversely if the 1st broken window is fixed, the neighborhood is saved from further demolition of face and order is maintained, discouraging crime and delinquent behavior.

Why did I tell you this story?

Because our own lives are subject to the broken windows theory.

If you are somebody who is going through demotivation, laziness, procrastination and lack of clarity, a messy, disorganized home is an equivalent of the broken windows.

A cluttered corner, dishes in the sink, an unmade bed, a messy desk and that stuffed drawer you refuse to look at are all signaling you to commit more crimes of undone work.

Every time you pass that unmade bed and decide to leave it like that the closer you get to leaving wet clothes on the floor that gets you closer to identifying with a person who never gets anything done.

Until you find yourself lying face up looking blankly at the ceiling, breathing heavy, anxious about all the promises you made to yourself that got buried under your unmade bed.

So much wasted potential. Sheesh.

Therefore, if I was only allowed to give you one piece of advice I would reiterate what Dr. Jordan Peterson Sir ji said: CLEAN YOUR ROOM.

Pick a corner you are afraid to look at. organize that. take as much time as you want.

Then pick the next corner, then the next until you have to yourself a house that is in order and a mind that is finally ready to take control of your life.

Yours,

Ipsita