Brendan O'Connor “You have to be patient to form a habit”
Jul 19, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, neuroscientist and clinical psychologist Professor Ian Robertson shares impactful insights on habit formation. He explains how consistent practice transforms conscious efforts into automatic behaviors, similar to learning to drive. The conversation highlights the role of realistic goal setting and motivation in building willpower. Robertson also delves into overcoming bad habits linked to anxiety, using cognitive behavioral techniques. He emphasizes patience and the psychological benefits of achieving small wins to foster lasting change.
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Willpower Is Learned Habit
- Willpower is actually a series of learned habits that can be developed.
- Believing you lack willpower creates a fatalistic mindset that blocks habit change.
Driving as Habit Formation
- Learning to drive requires intense conscious attention initially that overloads our limited attention channel.
- Once learned, driving becomes automatic as control shifts to brain areas governing habits.
Brain Shifts Control to Basal Ganglia
- Habit control moves from the frontal cortex to the basal ganglia as actions become automatic.
- This shift frees conscious brain areas for other tasks once habits form.