A habit is a simple form of learning that helps create a change in behaviour through practice and experience. Whether good or bad, habits play a crucial role in shaping our choices and external behaviours.  

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

What Causes a Habit?

Habits are built through learning and repetition. Over time, thoughts of the behaviour and the behaviour itself are likely to be triggered by cues.

How Does a Habit Form?

Three factors lead to the formation of a 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 helps you wake up early.

2. Routine: Routine is the defining principle of a habit. Without repetition, you can’t form habits. For instance, if you want to cut back on coffee, walk off your cravings. Repetition helps break old habits and form new ones.

3. Outcome: Outcomes act as incentives to repeat behaviour. To develop new habits or minimize bad ones, consider the habit's outcome. For example, to create a good impression at work, start by arriving early.

The Psychology Behind Habit Formation

In psychology, Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning are key concepts associated with habit formation:

• Classical Conditioning: This involves the influence of reinforcements, rewards, and punishments in forming habits.

• Operant Conditioning: This examines the effect of social factors or modelling in developing any habits.

Types of Habits

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

• Avoiding Habits: These are habits we aim to break or change for the greater good.

• Conscious Habits: Similar to avoiding habits, they are habits we actively seek to change.

• Unconscious Habits: These are tricky to navigate because we aren’t aware of them.

Difference Between Habit and Routine

Habits are automatic behaviours formed through repetition and triggered by specific cues, often carried out with little conscious thought. Routines, on the other hand, involve a series of actions that require planning or intention. While both rely on repetition, habits run on autopilot, whereas routines demand deliberate effort until they become habitual.

A routine involves repeated behaviour but is not necessarily performed in response to an ingrained impulse like a habit is. For instance, you might routinely wash dishes or go to the gym without feeling an impulse to do so.

Effective Habit Formation Strategies

• Strong Motivation: Set a strong motivation to begin with.

• Consistency: Stay consistent and persistent until your goal is reached, focusing on lifestyle changes rather than one-time achievements.

• Positive Environment: Surround yourself with positive people who encourage your success.

• Self-awareness: Be aware of your shortcomings and the habits that need attention.

• Goal Setting: Draw immediate, short-term, and long-term goals.

Habits Are Hard to Break

Habits are designed to make things happen without much thought, so breaking them requires conscious intervention, which can be challenging. Behavioral change involves continual effort and tough. It should involve intentional modification habits.

Be Kind to Yourself

We understand that turning your life around can be overwhelming. It's normal to fall short on motivation and effort sometimes. In such times, remember to be patient and kind to yourself.

Embrace the power of habits for your growth and transformation. Identify your triggers, establish your routines, and focus on the outcomes you desire. Together, let’s break free from the past and embrace the change for a better future.

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