Scott: /* Identify the routine */

2014-07-01T19:59:19Z

Identify the routine

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:59, 1 July 2014
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	Which behavior needs to be eliminated?		Which behavior needs to be eliminated?

	Example: drinking a can of Coke every afternoon at work		Example: drinking a can of Coke every afternoon at work; it's too much sugar

	=== Experiment with rewards ===		=== Experiment with rewards ===

Scott: Created page with "The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg == Anatomy of a Habit == * Cue - something triggers the habit * Routine - the habitual behavior * Reward - something that makes your bra..."

2014-07-01T19:58:48Z

Created page with "The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg == Anatomy of a Habit == * Cue - something triggers the habit * Routine - the habitual behavior * Reward - something that makes your bra..."

New page

The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg

== Anatomy of a Habit ==
* Cue - something triggers the habit
* Routine - the habitual behavior
* Reward - something that makes your brain happy

== Changing a Habit ==

=== Identify the routine ===
Which behavior needs to be eliminated?

Example: drinking a can of Coke every afternoon at work

=== Experiment with rewards ===
What reward is your brain really seeking?

Is it sugar? Try fruit instead. Is it caffeine? Try green tea with no sugar. Is it something cold to drink? Try cold water. After each experiment, record the first three things that come to mind. This helps capture your emotional state for future recollection. Eventually, you should identify the most important reward(s).

=== Isolate the Cue ===
What triggers the habit? It's probably one of
* Location
* Time of day
* Emotional state
* Other people
* Immediately preceding action

When you notice the habit being triggered, identify each of these five factors and record them. You should eventually see a pattern emerge.

=== Have a plan ===
Once you notice the cue, be ready with a substitute routine that offers the same reward. Plan for likely deviations that might require an alternative strategy.

Power of Habit - Revision history

Scott: /* Identify the routine */

Scott: Created page with "The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg == Anatomy of a Habit == * Cue - something triggers the habit * Routine - the habitual behavior * Reward - something that makes your bra..."