How to Build Healthy Habits and Break Bad Ones
Winners and Losers have the same goals.
What differentiate them is that the winners created a system of habits that got them there!
As a heavy outcome society we get hung up on our mistakes and our sole focus is to win.
We forget that the results… the amount in the bank account, the score on the test and the number on the scale are all preceded from the habits that got us here.
The weight gained was not overnight, but rather it was the compounded effect of behaviors repeated for days, months and years!
Every action that we make is like a vote for the person we want to be in the future. Everything we do from ordering take out, hitting the gym and procrastinating have very long term consequences.
So the question may be
How do I build up the good habits and break bad ones?
Well based on the book Atomic Habits by James Charles, there is a systematic approach to this.
The 4 Laws
1st Law: Cue
2nd Law: Craving
3rd Law: Response
4th Law: Reward
To build a new habit: Meal Prepping
1st Law Cue: Make it obvious ( have groceries ready to go in the fridge)
2nd Law Craving: Make it Attractive ( buy healthy food that you actually like)
3rd Law Response: Make it Easy ( buy pre cut veggies and pre seasoned meats)
4th Law Reward: Make it Satisfying ( you get to watch a movie or favorite show while you prep)
To Break a Bad Habit: Snacking
This one is interesting because all you would have to do is break the the habit in the early stage and it will be less likely to be repeated.
1st Law Cue: Make it Invisible ( Throw away and donate all snacks at home)
2nd Law Craving: Make it Unattractive ( Have snacks that you hate or dislike)
3rd Law Response: Make it Difficult ( Place snacks in hard to reach places)
4th Law Reward: Make it Unsatisfying ( Every snack you eat, you have to do 10 burpess)