Habit Formation

 A habit is a simple form of learning, learning that helps create a change in behavior through practice and experience. These habits, good or bad, are an important part of our lives. It shapes our choices as well as our external behaviors. 

Habit formation is the process by which behaviors become automatic. Habits can form without a person intending to acquire them, but they can also be deliberately cultivated—or eliminated—to better suit one’s personal goals.

In psychology, classical conditioning and operant conditioning are some concepts that are associated with habit formation.

Classical conditioning talks about the influence of reinforcements, rewards, and punishments in the formation of habits

And operant conditioning talks about the effect of social factors or modeling in the formation of any habits.

What causes a habit?

Habits are built through learning and repetition. A person is thought to develop a habit in the course of pursuing goals. Over time, thoughts of the behavior and ultimately the behavior itself are likely to be triggered by these cues.

How does a habit form?

There are three factors that lead to the formation of habit:

1. Trigger

All habits stem from some physical or mental trigger. Being aware of a trigger can help you initiate a habit appropriately. For example, an alarm clock is a trigger that helps you wake up early. You should use alarms to regularize the habit.

2. Routine

Routine is the defining principle of a habit. Without repetition of a behavioral action, you can’t form habits. If you want to consciously form or break a habit, you need to consider the behavioral actions that will change your habit. For example, if you want to cut back on your coffee consumption, you walk it off every time you get cravings. You learn new behavior through repetition and that slowly breaks an old habit.

3.  Outcome

Outcomes act as incentives for you to repeat a behavior. If you’re trying to develop new habits or minimize the bad ones, you should consider the outcome of that habit. Keep the outcome realistic so that it’s easier to track your progress. For example, if you want to create a good impression on your coworkers (outcome) start reaching the office early(change in routine).

Types of Habits

Instigating Habits: These habits motivate us towards a chosen idea.

Avoiding habits: These are the habits we tend to break or change for the greater good

Conscious habits: These are the habits we tend to break or change for the greater good

Unconscious habits: Unconscious or hidden habits are tricky to navigate because we aren’t aware of them. 

Difference between habit and routine

While a routine involves repeated behavior, it’s not necessarily performed in response to an ingrained impulse, like a habit is. You might routinely wash the dishes or go to the gym without feeling an impulse to do so because you feel you need to do those things.

Why are habits so hard to break?

A person may not be fully aware of how her habit works—habits are built to make things happen without us having to think much about them. Consciously intervening in one’s own habitual behavior likely won’t come naturally, so breaking a habit can require some consideration and effort. 

What we can consciously do to make effective habit formations is;

1. Have strong motivation set to begin with
2. Be consistent. Do not stop till the goal is reached and be persistent even after. Work on lifestyle changes and not a one-time achievement.
3. Make sure you have an encouraging environment and are surrounded by positive people who want to see you succeed.
4. Actively be aware of your shortcomings, and the habits that might need your attention. 
5. Draw immediate, short-term, and long-term goals for yourself.

We understand that turning your life around can be one of the most overwhelming challenges you might have to face. There might be times when you fall short on motivation, drive, and effort to put in. There might also be times when you just want to give up.

In such times, you have to understand that these situations are very common and it might strike the best of us. Be patient and kind with yourself. 

If times get tough and you are unable to get going, get in touch with us, and let us help you transform, HAPPILY!