When I was in 7th grade, my science teacher, Mr. Williams, told the class, "I'll bet I can watch you once put your shoes on, and then predict how you will do it every morning."

I had never paid attention to such things, but next morning I noted I put my left shoe on first. Since then I almost always do it that way, even adding putting my socks on the other way... right foot first. I *think* I am doing it just because Mr. Williams was such a forceful teacher, and I wanted to justify his prediction. Whatever.... it has now become a ritual.

This, I would contend, is an example of a "self-fulfilling hypothesis". In college, a psychology professor demonstrated something similar by telling a girl.."I'll buy you a new dress IF the next time I say 'pebble', you do NOT think of 'crocodile'."

I do of course have various habits & routines, but mostly they are done for convenience & efficiency..(timing of the toast to meet the coffee being done...etc,) I generally do NOT like to be bound by automatic routines.... but the shoe/sock thing just is there to stay.

(It's interesting that I don't have any particular order to removing shoes & socks. Sometimes it's just which foot hurts most.)