What habits do you want?

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Habits are the architecture of our lives. Whether the framework they provide is helping us flourish or holding us back, understanding how to hack our habits can lead to an improved life. Today we will explore strategies to help you engineer positive changes in your life.


Guide with Goals: Set clear and measurable goals when trying to change habits. Instead of vague objectives like "I want to eat healthier," set specific targets like "I will eat at least one serving of fruit or vegetables every meal." This clarity makes it easier to track progress and stay motivated.


Understanding habits: To adjust habits effectively, it's essential to understand how habits are formed and maintained. Habits are learned, and include a cue, routine, and reward. Recognizing what cues prompt a habit you would like to change is helpful, as well as understanding the reward. For instance, it might help reduce alcohol consumption to leave most of the beer in the pantry and just one beer in the fridge. The environmental cues make it easier to just have one. The reward for drinking one beer rather than many might be improved sleep, kinder to the budget, switching to your favorite seltzer after the beer, or something else meaningful to you.


Start Small: Starting with manageable changes can be more effective than attempting drastic overhauls. Begin by identifying a habit you'd like to develop or change and break it down into very small, achievable steps. Gradually build momentum, and gradually advance toward your target.


Seek Social Support: Whether done formally or informally, social support can significantly impact habit formation. Sharing your goals with a partner, friend or family member who can hold you accountable can increase your chances of success. Additionally, participating in group activities or classes related to your desired habit can provide added motivation.


Track Your Progress: Habit tracking can be a powerful tool for improvement. Use a journal or other means to record your daily progress. This visual representation of your efforts can be highly motivating and help you stay on track.


Embrace Failure: Don't forget this part! Failure is a natural part of habit change, and it's essential to approach setbacks with a growth mindset. Instead of being discouraged, view failures as opportunities to learn and adjust your approach. If you are struggling to see what can be learned, try journaling or chatting with a good friend about it. Some of the best lessons take a while to "digest"!

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