Habit Hacking: How to Make New Behaviors Stick
Story at-a-glance
- Contrary to popular belief, habits do not form in 21 days. Research shows it takes two to five months for a behavior to become automatic, depending on its complexity
- Simple, consistent behaviors performed at the same time daily and linked to specific triggers are more likely to become permanent habits than complex or irregularly performed actions
- Self-selected habits are more likely to stick than externally imposed ones, and morning habits typically form faster due to peak cognitive function and fewer distractions
- Missing a day does not break a habit, but skipping multiple days in a row weakens it significantly. This means consistency is far more important than perfection
- To create successful habits, attach them to existing routines, start small, plan for disruptions, use environmental cues and focus on consistency rather than perfection
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