Reshaping habits...

Change might not be fast and it isn’t always easy.
But with time and effort,
almost any habit can be reshaped.

— Charles Duhigg (Pulitzer prize winning reporter and author of Smarter Faster Better, about the science of productivity, and The Power of Habit, about the science of habit formation in our lives, companies and societies).

In The Power of Habit Duhigg explains how habits work. He dug into personal experience in order to diagnose his own habits. He found himself going to the cafeteria for a cookie every afternoon, which had caused unwanted weight gain. He set about identifying the “cue,” or the cookie craving, which happened every day at around 2:30-2:45. He then observed the “routine”, which was going up the elevator to the cafeteria, buying a cookie, and then chatting with colleagues. He determined that the “reward” was actually talking to friends for about 10 mins before going back to work. So the habit was not actually about the cookie, but about taking a break and socializing. Duhigg was able to re-shape the habit by going over to someone’s desk for a chit-chat, instead of heading to the cafeteria. He noticed the urge to go get cookie actually disappeared. Super interesting stuff. I’ll have to look at my own treat cravings. Just sayin’ :) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl