FREE FLOWCHART: How To Change A Habit
Why Our Brain Likes Having Habits
Research shows that our brain likes repetition. For everyday activities our brain creates a habit as a pathway for ease and a way to use less energy. When a habit is created, it is for your benefit. It is the brains way of protecting you and allowing the brain to be more efficient. An example of a habit pathway would be driving a car. I bet the last time you consciously thought about driving was when you were working on obtaining your drivers license, right? You no longer fret over every detail of driving because it comes naturally. The process is now a habit. Our habits, whether they are good or bad, are something our brain does not like to change once it's in place. That is why so many people struggle with habit change.
Click Here For Your FREE Habit Changing FlowchartThe Trigger
This trigger or the cue is what starts the habit. This typically involves a time, place, person, persons and/or event. Example: When at work, Peter walks downstairs to the cafe and buys a candy bar every afternoon at 3:00 p.m. This is a "time" trigger. At 3:00 p.m. Peter buys a candy bar.
The Reward
The reward can sometimes be tricky to figure out. It may take some trial and error to figure out. Is Peter buying the candy bar because he is hungry? Is he bored? Does he need a break? Is he using it as a distraction? He may need to replace the candy bar with a walk or an apple or talking with a coworker to test out what reward he receives.
The Routine - The Activity
The routine in our example is Peter walking downstairs and buying a candy bar.
The routine - activity is what needs to change in the habit cycle.
The Flowchart will show how this all flows together and how you can start changing your habit.