HOW TO BUILD AN HABIT

We love to do many things like go to the gym, learn coding and many more depending on our own interests, but we end up losing that interest as soon as we start and even though we all know it is important it becomes hard to make it a habit

INDEX

1ST LAW; Make it obvious
2nd LAW; Make it attractive
 3rd LAW; Make it easy 
4th LAW; Make it satisfying
Conclusion

It takes 21 days to build a habit and 90 days to build a lifestyle. So how to build a habit? Let us understand by using a simple four laws.

1. 1st LAW; MAKE IT OBVIOUS

Psychologist Carl Jung said, "Until you make unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate".

We always tend to blame others for our inability to work and build better habits. We should take up the responsibility and start building habits so that your future self can thank you. 

You can predict where you are going to be in the next 5 years depending on your habits. So habits make or break your life

Now what does 'make it obvious' means? You need to know why you need to build that particular habit, what changes do you wish to bring by implementing the habit. 

To make it obvious set the exact time and location where you want to start the habit. When you set the time and location you don't tend to skip that time as you have already have that mindset. Try using this for a few weeks until it becomes a regular part of your life.

2. 2nd LAW; MAKE IT ATTRACTIVE

The more attractive an opportunity is the more likely it is to become a habit. It is the anticipation of the reward, not the fulfilment of it that gets us in to take action. The greater the anticipation, the greater is the chance of building a habit.

One of the most effective things you can do to build habits is to join in a culture where,

Your desired behaviour is the normal behaviour

You already have something in common with the group

If a behaviour can get us approval, respect and praise we find it attractive.

Another way is to reward yourself for each time you complete your habit. Track your habits and place it in a place where you can see it easily. You will feel that you are improving by the number of times you have completed your desired behaviour.

3. 3rd LAW; MAKE IT EASY

The most effective form of learning is practice, not planning. Focus on taking action, not being in motion. Most of the time we spend researching and planning that we fail to start taking action. 

Habit formation is the process by which a behaviour becomes progressively more automatic through repetition.

Human behaviour follows the Law of least effort. We will naturally gravitate toward the option that requires the least amount of work. Create an environment where doing the right thing is as easy as possible. Reduce the friction associated with good behaviours. When the friction is low, habits are easy.

4. 4th LAW; MAKE IT SATISFYING

We are more likely to repeat a behaviour when the experience is satisfying. That's the reason most of the quit gym halfway because it is hard and it pains to work out. Our brains are evolved to prioritize immediate rewards over delayed rewards.

That's the reason you need to always reward yourself to keep pushing forward. We studied even though we didn't like the concept because we knew we would be rewarded if get good results and we will be respected more. 

The first 3 laws increases the odds that a behaviour is performed. The fourth law increases the odds that a behaviour will be repeated next time.

One of the most satisfying feelings is the feeling of making progress. A habit tracker is a simple way to measure whether you did a habit. Like marking an x on a calendar. 

If you miss a habit a day is fine but don't let it extend to the second day as well, as it will break the chain of your continuous progress made so far.

5. Conclusion

Try to compete with your level while improving a habit, because if it's too hard you will give up and if it's too easy you will lose the interest. To be great you don't have to be born talented most of the time our habits will lead us to the place we always longed for. Your habits reflect the person you are and the person you wish to be. So don't lose hope and always try to be a better person every day.

If you wish to quit a habit just do the opposite of the four laws;

Make it nonobvious

Make It unattractive

Make it difficult 

Make it not satisfying

            When you follow the four laws in the opposite sense you will break a habit.