Habits And Why They Are Beneficial

Each day, we follow habits that our brains have set into our existence. Have you ever stopped to wonder why this happens? Actually, our brains record repetitive actions. From the simple act of making your bed in the morning to more complex tasks like your daily commute. When these actions are habits our brain executes them without much efforts.

What Is A Habit?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary a habit is "something that you do often and regularly, sometimes without knowing that you are doing it." In fact, repetitive actions, once they are habits, enable your brain to execute them "automatically" without much effort. The mechanism behind this will be explained in the following section.

Where Do Habits Come From?

In the book "Atomic Habits," James Clear explains the formation of a habit through a four-step process known as the habit loop. It consists of : Cue, Craving, Response, and Reward:

1. Cue: The cue is the trigger or the signal that initiates the habit. It's often something in your environment or a specific moment that prompts you to take action. For example, your alarm clock ringing in the morning is a cue for the habit of getting out of bed.
2. Craving: The craving is the desire or the urge that the cue creates within you. It's the feeling that motivates you to take action. In the morning alarm example, the craving could be the desire to wake up and start your day.
3. Response: The response is the actual behavior or action that you take in response to the craving. It's the habit itself, the routine you follow. In the morning alarm example, it's getting out of bed and starting your daily routine.
4. Reward: The reward is the positive outcome or benefit you receive after completing the habit. It's the satisfaction or pleasure you gain from the habit. In the morning alarm example, the reward could be the sense of accomplishment, the fresh start to your day, or the satisfaction of having completed a task.

Here is an example that explains the habit loop. A person is entering a dark room and switching on the lights. Within seconds she goes through all the steps without even thinking.

>> Cue (stepping into the dark room)
>> Craving (seeing clearly)
>> Response (switching on the light)
>> Reward (being able to see).

Waht Is The Benefit Of Building Good Habits?

In essence, habits are our brain's way of conserving energy. It’s a mecanism that allows the brain to focus on another thing while you complete your habit. When a behavior becomes a habit, it shifts from conscious decision-making to automatic action.

The process of turning a sequence of actions into an automatic routine is known as "chunking," and it is the basis of all habit formation. Its evolutionary role is clear : it allows the brain to save energy and perform common tasks more efficiently.

Now imagine how many things you could do in a day "without thinking". This is where we would like to take you with Taskamo - one task at a time.

In this journey to your peak productivity don’t burn yourself. Go through the "pitfalls of a positive change". The first advice we would like to give you is: start small.

Why Long Lasting Habits Always Start Small

Every year, millions of people resolve to make positive changes in their lives. Without big surprises, there is a time of the year where it happens most: at the beginning of a new year. In January, we take resolutions for the new year: eat healthier, exercise more, and get more sleep. Which is a very good start for building habit. And for most of us it works for a time. We work out, swap fries for vegetable, and make sure we’re lying in bed by 11:00 p.m. And life feels great.

But then something happens and everything shifts. After a certain time, these new habits start fading. We make an exception or stop for a day, then a week, then another. Soon enough, we’re back to where we started. We are forced to admit: it is not so easy to make long lasting changes.

In his book called "Tiny Habits" BJ Fogg explains that we often set the bar too high. The reason is the desire for quick results. So rather than taking it slow and start with a 10-minute fitness routine, we go for the daily 2-hour gym torture.

Author

Caroline

Sources

• "The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business" by Charles Duhigg on amazon.com
• "Atomic Habits" by James Clear on amazon.com
• "Tiny Habits" by BJ Fogg on amazon.com