Bad Habits Are Like Ants

Have you ever returned from a vacation to discover something has gone horribly wrong in your absence?

That’s what happened to me this week.

After enjoying some vacation time with family, my wife and I returned to discover the bane of every homeowner: ants.

As we surveyed the extent of their invasion, the unmistakable lines of marching insects could be seen hugging nearly every wall. They were practically carrying away the furniture.

Now to be fair to our tiny six legged friends… our house wasn’t exactly pristine…

When we left a week before, crumbs weren’t swept.

The trash hadn’t been emptied.

And teenie-weenie bits of food particles had gathered in the corners.

The truth was, we had left in a hurry and hadn’t cleaned up beforehand.

(Photo: Bad habits, like ants, seem to come in groups…)

However in our absence, the ants thought it was Christmas and Thanksgiving combined.

(Although I can confirm that no actual abandoned food bits from Christmas OR Thanksgiving was on the menu)

And so, on top of unpacking and getting things put away, a much needed deep clean was in order to disincentivize the ants from returning anytime soon.

The floor boards were wiped clean, furniture was moved to expose any errant crumbs, and even the hard-to-reach corners were meticulously ransacked of their microscopic comestibles.

No dust bunny was safe.

And once there was nothing for the ants to eat, they stopped coming.

That said, I still catch myself occasionally inspecting behind the couch with a nagging sense of paranoia…

What does this have to do with influence and success?

The truth is, bad habits are kind of like ants.

When we aren’t paying attention, they tend to creep in and feed off the crumbs of carelessness.

Sometimes we might be in a hurry, other times we may not be aware… but lack of focused intention always leaves crumbs.

And bad habits tend to crawl out from under the floor boards and survive off them.

But the moment we shine the piercing light of intention?

When we wipe away the clutter with clarity?

When we search out the hidden corners where complacency is hanging out with the dust bunnies?

Its amazing how bad habits tend to scurry away and avoid returning.

(Photo: May your dust bunnies be THIS afraid of you)

Plus, you feel the confidence that comes from taking ownership and being on top of things.

So what are some ants that you’ve allowed to creep in recently?

They might not be huge or obvious. In fact, most aren’t. That’s the problem — bad habits survive on the crumbs.

Here are a few practical steps to help you clean up, reset, and reclaim your focus:

1. Do a 10-Minute Sweep: Pick one area of your life — your workspace, your calendar, your digital desktop — and ask:

· What crumbs have I left behind?

· You don’t need a total overhaul. Just clean one “corner” with clarity.

2. Shine a Light on the Hidden Habits: Grab a notebook or your Notes app and jot down:

· What actions have I been repeating that don’t serve me?

· What excuses am I telling myself? Awareness is the first form of action.

3. Choose One Tiny Turn: Instead of trying to change everything, just ask:

· “What’s one small habit I can shift today that will make the rest easier?”

· Small brooms sweep away big messes — eventually.

(Photo: I cannot look at this broom and not think of “Honey I Shrunk The Kids”. I have nightmares to this day.)

Remember: The ants don’t need a buffet — just a crumb. And success and influence don’t require a massive energy draining revolution — just intention.

So this week, don’t let the ants to take over.

Clean out one corner, shine a little light, and watch the clutter (and the crawling) disappear.

Those Dust Bunnies won’t know what hit them.

You’ve got this.

— Christian

CHRISTIAN HANSEN has gone behind the scenes in some of the biggest organizations in the world to find out the reasons why some people get chosen and why others don’t. As the 2X #1 bestselling and LinkedIn Top Ten ranked author of “The Influence Mindset: The Art & Science of Getting People to Choose You” Christian helps teams and organizations who want to stand out and be the obvious choice. With degrees from Brigham Young University and The London School of Economics, he’s helped thousands of individuals position and sell themselves. A fan of international communication, history, and choral music, he currently lives in Utah with his wife. Reach him at: TheChristianHansen.com