The Theory of Discontinuance

Dheeraj Sharma
Sep 2, 2018 · 3 min read

This theory is mainly guided a economic law, The law of diminishing marginal utility. This theory is not applicable where arithmetic, geometric progression is applicable. This theory is applicable where the benefit of an act is diminishing or stagnant with every additional activity.

Before I go to the theory I would like explain the economic law first. As per this law the additional benefit/ utility of any product is diminishing in long run.

Example: A person fond of pastries. The utility (pleasure) that he feels with first pastries will diminish as he eats more n more pastries. The marginal utility may increased with 2nd and 3rd but eventually it will reduce over long run. Say if the first pastries gave him 10 units of pleasure, the second n third may give him 10 or 12 but as he goes ahead with the count of pastries 5 , 6 … 10,11 pastries the additional satisfaction with each pastries will reduce from 10 to 5… This may even be negative result in vomiting if consumption is very high. This law is applicable for continuous, subsequent consumption at regular intervals.

This law is not applicable if the interval between 2 consumption is a day or 2 in short run. But if we consider a span of year and daily consumption of 1 pastries everyday the law still holds good.

This law is applicable everywhere, if you observe closely you find it applicable everywhere n everything. Be it eating, clothing, meeting friends and relative etc etc etc.

Lets take an instance of walking or swimming and daily exercise. If a person start swimming 1 hour a day, he may be able to reduce weight by 3 kg. In first month. If he continue it for an year, logical he should be able to reduce 36 kg which will result to a common guy underweight But this doesn't happen. The body loses weight initially but later get accustomed to the exercise n after some time we may even gain weight even after swimming for an hour.

What is solution to get consistent benefits. Increasing the time from 1 hour to 2 hours. Mostly is not possible. So how do we increase the efficiency for the same 1 hour of swimming.

The Theory of Discontinuance

To enhance the efficiency of any activity which is done continuously and the benefit are stagnant or reducing we need to discontinue the activity for a small interval and restart the activity. This will to give time to our body n ourselves to relax, avoid to feel monotonous about the activity. Discounting and restarting eventually benefits us more. At-least a day or 2 break in a week to exercise is must. Even a months break in a year or six months would help us get more benefits. I hope I had made my point clear and understandable. Most important point is to restart the activity after discontinuing not to STOP

This theory can also be used to take excuse from our routine but I wish it is not used for the purpose but to enhance the benefit of a regular routing activity.

I would request all my readers to give a deep though on applicability of the law in there routine activity and share your views & experiences.

Written by

Trying to think differently. By profession Finance, likes swimming, reading & driving.

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