I like the authors method better. It's more of a "lead by example".
To be honest, I'm not likely to just pick up whatever life-changing advice someone is preaching. But when I see somebody striving extra hard to achieve, that's what is truly inspiring, and lights a fire under my ass. You can tell me how to create good habits until you're blue in the face, but nothing is going to sink in until I see the results of your actions, and the competitive streak in me comes alive and wants to catch up to that.
I tend to like Joel (and Leo's) posts, but I found myself feeling a similar sentiment when I read the details about his own morning routine in this one.
I guess the reason is that, in that context, it felt unnecessary to convey the point being made. It seemed like it was more for author's benefit than for any reader's.
(And I recognize that part of it is my human reflex for envy/jealousy and comparisons to self. Even though I'm set with my own morning routine, it's just the kind of sentiment statements like that trigger. And I'm sure I'm not the only one, as the parent comment suggests...)
Nothing wrong with that in my opinion. Even if he is bragging, the point is about developing good habit which takes practice. I personally liked seeing his morning routine which gives me ideas. Who cares if he bragged about it as long as that is not the only thing he did.
