The Power of Habits

January 10

The Power of Habits

I found the book "The Power of Habits" by Charles Duhigg extremely interesting. On Amazon's site, there is a cute film about the habit loop: http://www.amazon.com/Power-Habit-What-Life-Business/dp/1400069289.

How Habits Form

It turns out that every habit starts with a psychological pattern called a "habit loop," which is a three-part process. First, there's a cue, or trigger, that tells your brain to go into automatic mode and let a behavior unfold.

"Then there's the routine, which is the behavior itself," Duhigg writes. "That's what we think about when we think about habits."

The third step, he says, is the reward: something that your brain likes that helps it remember the "habit loop" in the future. Understanding and interrupting that loop is key to breaking a habit, says journalist Charles Duhigg.

I am not only interested in changing unwanted behavior, I need to build healthy habits.

My Mom and I have a special game. Each one of us has to commit to cleaning/neatening or putting away one piece of STUFF which has been lying around. Our motto is "Everything has a place and everything is in its place". For instance, this morning my commitment is unpacking my suitcase from my trip. I'll tell Mom and she'll tell me what she is going to put away. Since I was just there, I know that her desk needs some work. ;-)

I believe we also need more mindfulness habits.
1) Making the effort to really disconnect from electronic stimulation at least twice a day. No phones, no computers, no Facebook, no email, no television.
2) Going for a walk on your lunch break and leaving the diversions (smartphone) at the desk. Just walk, preferably through an area with some nature - let's call this your time for "green peace" each day.
3) Setting a tech cut-off time before bed. An hour before bed gives your brain time to downsize and go into regeneration mode.
4) Turning your phone off when you’re with people is a great way to connect. We used to see lovers holding each other and gazing into each other's eyes. Not anymore!
5) Relearn how to play. Play is a great relaxer and it is so fun. Remember when we were young and "went outside to play"?!