Go and punch "Habit Loop" into Google images. Go on, I'll wait.
Back so soon?
Ok so what you just saw was 1000 variations of a circle that goes Trigger - Action - Reward, most of which are stolen or adapted from this excellent book
It's not really rocket science, but it certainly is cognitive science. Habit's drive a good proportion of our behaviour, both good and bad. Here's what happens.
1. Trigger
Some external event triggers the habit subroutine in your brain. This cue can take many forms, but the real trick of the trigger is that it switches your brain into auto pilot. Have you ever driven home, and got in the driveway, but then been unable to remember the drive?
2. Action
This is the subroutine, what your brain does when the trigger hits the switch. 10pm on a weeknight? Clean teeth. Sit at desk in the morning? Check emails. You get the idea.
3. Reward.
This is the little high you get when you execute the action, what you brain so powerfully craves when it gets the cue.
So it's time for me to cut to the chase. I've gained weight and lost weight a few times in my life, and each time gets harder. Last year between January and November I lost 5kg. Go me. Between November and January - 4.8 back.
I am convinced modifying habits is the code to getting this done once and for all. I am going to systematically try messing around with each step of this cycle until I work out the best way to do it.
Back so soon?
Ok so what you just saw was 1000 variations of a circle that goes Trigger - Action - Reward, most of which are stolen or adapted from this excellent book
It's not really rocket science, but it certainly is cognitive science. Habit's drive a good proportion of our behaviour, both good and bad. Here's what happens.
1. Trigger
Some external event triggers the habit subroutine in your brain. This cue can take many forms, but the real trick of the trigger is that it switches your brain into auto pilot. Have you ever driven home, and got in the driveway, but then been unable to remember the drive?
2. Action
This is the subroutine, what your brain does when the trigger hits the switch. 10pm on a weeknight? Clean teeth. Sit at desk in the morning? Check emails. You get the idea.
3. Reward.
This is the little high you get when you execute the action, what you brain so powerfully craves when it gets the cue.
So it's time for me to cut to the chase. I've gained weight and lost weight a few times in my life, and each time gets harder. Last year between January and November I lost 5kg. Go me. Between November and January - 4.8 back.
I am convinced modifying habits is the code to getting this done once and for all. I am going to systematically try messing around with each step of this cycle until I work out the best way to do it.
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