Science Corner
Tiny daily changes. According to Atomic Habits author James Clear, small daily acts create substantial improvement — if we are aware of the systems upon which are habits are built.
By honing in on the four-step-process upon which a habit is built — and embedded — into our daily lives, we can alter our programmed behaviors to work for us, rather than against us.
Clear says four steps make up every habit created to help us run our lives:
- Cue – Trigger that initiates behavior
- Craving – Motivation to change internal state
- Response – Action which forms the habit
- Reward – Satisfy the craving and imprint the behavior
These behaviors rule our lives through the systems we’ve established to maintain them — many times unknowingly. Have you ever wondered why you switch on a light when entering a dark room? Clicking the button turns on the light, which fulfills a need and provides a reward. It’s a habit.
Eliminate one of these steps and the behavior does not become a habit. Become aware of the system behind the habit, and it can be changed. To build better habits, follow this simple set of rules:
- Make it obvious 😮
- Make it attractive 😍
- Make it easy 👌
- Make it satisfying 😀
For details, check out Clear’s book. It’s been out since 2018 so it will be easy to find a broken-in copy online or at your local library.
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