Building habits
Habit building is the process of repeating a behavior in a stable context until it becomes more automatic.
Definition
A habit is developed by associating a stimulus or context with a response. The more stable the signal and the simpler the behavior, the easier it is to automate. Research shows that the pace of habit building is variable: it depends on the person, behavior, context and regularity. That's why small behaviors embedded in a specific daily rhythm are more effective than big resolutions.
Key ideas
- Stable stimulus
- Repeatability
- Automation
Practice and life
Link a new habit to an existing ritual: "After making coffee, I write down one thing to do." Make sure the first step takes less than two minutes.
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to expect a habit to stick after one motivational decision. It is also a mistake to choose a behavior that is too large for the current context of life.
> A habit is formed when a decision slowly turns into a default.
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- What stimulus will trigger my habit?
- Is the first step small enough?
- How will I maintain the context of repetition?