When-Then Fallacy

Hey Everyone,

I learned about this fallacy of thought recently and I thought I would pass it along.

A common thought process of many people (myself included at times) is to say “when I accomplish this thing, then I will start doing this other thing.”

Here are some examples of what I mean:

“When I start to have more energy, then I will start to workout.”

”When I get to high school, then I will start working out.”

”When I have more time to cook, then I will eat healthier.”

“When I have more time, then I will read my Bible.”

”When I make enough money, then I will be happy.”

I intentionally included some of these because they hit home for me.

The error is waiting for an external success, achievement, or milestone before beginning a high quality habit or behavior.

Oftentimes we don’t even know what those external successes really are. What does it mean to “have more energy?” or to “make enough money?” These are variables that are often just created in our own head as reasons (excuses) to continue acting how we have always been acting.

Maybe we should take action now on the habits we know are good for us, instead of waiting for an ideal opportunity.

I’ve heard it said that “if you can start a good habit when it is hard, then you can keep a good habit when it’s easy.”

Again, I’m talking to myself here as much as anything, but I thought it was a good perspective to think about.

-Dr. Caleb