The primary difference is that habits formed through willful activity arise as a result of consciously setting a goal and making an effort, which brings a vivid sense of the active “I” and enables one to channel energy into creative and intellectual development.

Contrasting Paths in Habit Formation

The primary difference is that habits formed through willful activity arise as a result of consciously setting a goal and making an effort, which brings a vivid sense of the active “I” and enables one to channel energy into creative and intellectual development. Such habits contribute to the automation of movements without excessive emotional burden and, on the contrary, conserve inner resources for higher pursuits.

On the other hand, habits that develop from expressive (emotional) movements are formed predominantly under the influence of emotional experience, without the involvement of conscious will or a clear objective. This results in their development often becoming “mechanized”—that is, they lose internal depth and creative power, with the emotional experience replaced by automatism. According to the cited text, this type of habit has a negative influence on emotional life, as it delays the development of genuine, full-fledged feelings and pushes them deep into the soul.

Supporting citation(s):
"Let us turn to the question of habit development in children. It is known that habits develop from willful movements—even though the repetition of movements could create habitual patterns in other forms of activity; however, the most important habits are those formed from expressive and willful activity. The development of habits in these two directions proceeds differently, as does the impact of the resulting habits on mental life. The fact is that the development of habits from expressive movements (i.e., those associated with emotional regulation) has the most negative and pernicious influence on emotional life—which cannot be said of habits formed from willful activity." (source: link txt)

"In the regulation of emotional activity, precisely this element is completely absent—and therein lies the mental distinction between the two forms of regulation... Willful activity gives us an extraordinarily vivid experience of our 'I'—it is always experienced as the activity of 'I'." (source: link txt)