In 'Good Habits, Bad Habits,' Wendy Wood draws on three decades of original research to explain the fascinating science of how we form habits. The book highlights that nearly half of our daily actions are automatic and not conscious choices, but rather the result of our non-conscious mind. Wood argues that willpower alone is inadequate for making positive changes and instead offers practical strategies based on neuroscience, case studies, and experiments. She explains how our brains respond to rewards, receive cues from our surroundings, and shut down when faced with too much friction. The book provides a detailed look at the three bases of habit formation: context, repetition, and reward, and offers practical advice on how to form better habits and make lasting positive changes.
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Episode 3002:
Leo Babauta outlines a practical system to make habits stick by addressing common obstacles like loss of enthusiasm, distractions, and negative self-talk. By starting small, creating strong accountability, and setting up reminders, you can effectively overcome these challenges and turn new behaviors into lasting habits.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://zenhabits.net/stick/
Quotes to ponder:
"Your mind says, 'This is too hard!' or 'Skipping it this time won’t hurt!' These are just weaselly ways to get out of discomfort."
"Don’t negotiate with these terrorists. Notice when these thoughts come up, and banish them."
"Start small. Keep the habit very small. As small as possible, until it becomes your new 'normal.'"
Episode references:
Good Habits, Bad Habits: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Habits-Bad-Science-Positive/dp/1250159075
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