“Why We Do What We Do In Life And Business.”
The above quote comes directly from Charles Duhigg’s “The Power of Habit” book. I’m sure most of you have heard of this book if you’re in the personal development realm. Changing behavioral patterns in life and in business is something that individuals and companies can struggle with for years. But, how do we change it? Changing a habit can be the difference between millions of dollars, or the difference between an amazing life waiting on the other side.
How exactly do habits work?
According to Duhigg a habit is formed when there is a Cue + Response which = Reward. As humans, we recognize something, we respond, and then eventually gain an unpleasant or pleasant thought and emotion attached with the habit. Once we repeat something enough times, cravings come to the surface, and we then form a habitual response. Dr. Bruce Lipton says that,
“95% of our day we are making decisions from the subconscious mind.”
Now, I’m no doctor. But what this tells me is that for the majority of our lives, we are making decisions from the subconscious mind and the programs that we developed in our brains. I do know, that habits can relapse. I’m sure most of you reading this have tried to quit something, form a new habit, but then relapse. It happens to the best of us. I tried quitting porn. I lasted for two months then cracked one day and watched it. I’m back to not watching it again, but that’s another story to mention about negative habits that affect our mental state. So how do we create new habits, that will positively affect our lives?
How To Create New Habits
According to Duhigg here is how you create a new habit:
1.) Determine a Response
Focus on one thing at a time. I’ve realized when I’m trying to change a habit or create a new one I do it best when I’m focused on one thing at a time. Want to start flossing your teeth? Put out the floss in the sink next to your toothbrush. There’s something very powerful about when you see something, and then go to use it.
2.) Determine a Cue
Think about location, a person, your current emotional state, time of day, etc. Figure out how you’re going to determine a cue for your response. Visualize what you want to see and come about from the cue. The most important thing to figure out is what exactly is going to trigger the new habit.
3.) Reward
What are you going to give your brain when you complete the habit that you want to form? Is it worth remembering in your brain? That’s for you to decide. Habit changing comes down to making a commitment to do it, and sticking to it. I decided a long time ago that I wanted to start making my bed every morning. It’s not something I want to do, but I know it will make my day more productive. It’s about doing the things we don’t enjoy doing, but what it does is get us in the habit of making habits.
We all perform different habits everyday. Some good, some bad. Habits are around 40% of our life. Look at your routines and see where you can change them. I’ve found changing my routine and attaching new habits to it helps in creating one or even changing it! Be disciplined and have the willpower, and everything else will flow.