The Power of Habit
At this week’s Decision Laboratory class, we had a great discussion about habits and what’s required for them to work. We can think it’s our lack of commitment or willpower that makes our new habits unsuccessful. In fact, invisible systems are working behind the scenes in our brains to conserve energy – and maintain the status quo – because new habits take more energy.
In his book, The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg discusses the three components of a habit: a cue that reminds you to do the habit, routine for executing it, and a reward. For example, waking up could be a cue, the routine is to walk to the kitchen and make coffee, and the reward is drinking it.
When building a new habit
- Decide on your cue, routine, and reward
- If a habit is not sticking, see if you’re missing one of the three elements
- Attach your new habit to an existing cue
Take on a new habit and treat it like a science experiment on yourself. See what works for you. Let me know how it goes!
Warm regards,
