Natural Law: Use It Or Lose It
Natural Law: Use it or lose it
A wise person would always try to live in accordance with the Laws of Nature. A fool is a man who thinks he can break the laws of nature.
The laws of nature are the laws that describe the way that the natural world operates.
If you align yourself, and your actions, to the way that the natural world operates, then it is like swimming WITH the current, and you will find that things will go easier for you; you'll make more progress in less time.
But if you operate in ways that violate the natural laws, then it is like swimming AGAINST the current; and you'll find that you will have a tough time, making even small amounts of progress.
The principle of working with the natural laws, has been noted by wise people, through the centuries. Francis Bacon said it this way: "Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed".
There are a limited number of natural laws.
- For every action there is a reaction.
- For every effect, there is a cause.
- Use it or lose it.
Use it or lose it
This law is taken from the world of biology. In relation to all living things, the same rule applies. Examples:
- If you don't use a piece of knowledge within a few days of learning it, you will likely forget it.
- If you don't use your brain, you will lose your mind.
- If you don't use your car, it will deteriorate.
- If you don't practice your skills, you will not only, not make progress, you will lose the performance level you have already got.
- If you don't use your personal initiative, you will lose your power of decision.
- If you don't use your imagination to envisage a better future, you will lose your optimism.
'Use it or lose it' is true because your mind and body has evolved to reduce its energy expenditure and to operate on the principle of least action.
All natural systems want to take the route of least action. For example, a water droplet on the window follows the path of least resistance, as it makes its way down the window pane. And your body and mind will always choose to do the minimum work possible to get the job done. Your body will want to drop any faculty that it thinks it does not need.
So if you don't make a demand on your body, it will figure, "That faculty is not needed, so I'll drop it".
- If you don't make a demand on your body to run, it will pretty soon drop the ability to run.
- If you don't make a demand on your strength, you will pretty soon lose your strength.
- If you don't make a demand on your body to do some mental arithmetic, then your brain will soon be incompetent at arithmetic.
Therefore, it is important to impose demands on yourself.
Demand more of yourself
It is important to put yourself on a routine of imposing a demand that will improve upon your current levels of performance, in terms of your thoughts, your language, your actions and reactions. You need to impose a demand:
- If you make a demand on your imagination, then, over time, you will become more imaginative.
- If you make a demand on your strength, then over time, you will become stronger.
- If you make a demand on your endurance, then over time, you will develop more endurance.
- If you make a demand on your ability to learn new material, then over time, you will become smarter and more educated, and therefore more valuable in the market place.
And if you don't, you won't.
Use it or lose it
Or to put it another way, strength comes through struggle.
So be very cautious of laziness. It will rob you of your future.
Be very keen to trigger an adaptive response by continually making demands on your present level of accomplishment.
By that route, you will achieve all your goals.
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Definition: use it or lose it
Use it or lose it is a personal development principle. It states that any ability-mental, physical or skill-shrinks when not used and grows when regularly taxed. Because the body and mind save energy, unused functions fade. Daily, purposeful practice keeps the ability and can even build it.
Show CG4D Definition
- Needs steady, active use of an ability
- No use leads to clear loss of that ability over time
- Applies alike to mind, body and learned skills
- Loss stops and growth begins when steady practice starts again
Article Summary
The natural law is clear: use it or lose it. Steady demands on your mind, skills and muscles trigger growth, while neglect lets them fade and steals future choice, so push yourself each day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What does the natural law 'use it or lose it' mean?
Why does the body drop unused abilities?
How does continuous practice support skill maintenance?
Can the mind rebuild a lost skill after neglect?
What daily actions help trigger an adaptive response?
How does laziness clash with personal development?
Is 'use it or lose it' only about physical strength?
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Did You Know: Key Statistics
The 2024 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report shows that 6 in 10 employees believe their skills will be outdated within five years, yet only 26% set aside five hours a week for learning. Sport England’s 2023/24 Active Lives Adult Survey reveals that adults who do muscle-strengthening exercise at least twice a week are 45% less likely to report mobility problems than those who do none.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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