Many people find it difficult to change habits and behaviors, and they may become frustrated and annoyed with themselves. This article explains why change is hard and offers an understanding of how the brain works. The article likens the brain to a dense and lush jungle, and moving through it is akin to moving through an actual jungle. This metaphor is used to explain how actions and behaviors leave paths in the brain, with repeated behaviors becoming well-established highways. The more pronounced the highways are, the more comfortable it feels to take them.
The Things You Do: Routines and Habits
To understand how the highways are built, we need to distinguish between routines and habits. A routine is a sequence of actions that you carry out the same way every time because they have worked well for you. The wise planner, the slow and analytical part of your brain, is responsible for strategizing and mental calculations. It is aware of the future and considers what kind of results you want, so it chooses actions to achieve specific outcomes. Routines can turn into habits over time, which feel easier because they are a sequence of actions carried out without thinking about them.
Habits and Triggers
The essential thing about habits is that they are set in motion by triggers, context cues that can be single things or entire situations. They give your brain the signal to start the behavior or action. Habits are executed by an impulsive toddler that responds to your immediate desires. It is important to understand that the future doesn’t exist for the toddler, and it hates hard work. When it notices a trigger, it steers you towards the easy road that leads to a familiar, rewarding result. The rewarding feeling is how most bad habits are formed, with actions that demand to be repeated.
The Interaction Between Wise Planner and Impulsive Toddler
The wise planner is necessary for thinking big thoughts, parallel parking, and doing taxes, but letting it do everything would cost too much energy. Outsourcing decisions to the impulsive toddler is efficient, but it can lead to problems because the toddler isn’t rational. This interaction between the wise planner and impulsive toddler is why we may find it hard to change habits and behaviors.
How to Change Habits and Behaviors
The first step in changing habits and behaviors is to identify the triggers that set them off. Once identified, the triggers can be avoided or modified. Next, find new behaviors that provide a similar reward or find a way to associate a current habit with a new reward. Over time, this can lead to the development of new highways, making the new behavior feel effortless and comfortable. It’s essential to focus on small, incremental changes rather than attempting large changes, which can be overwhelming.
Conclusion
It’s natural to find it difficult to change habits and behaviors, but understanding the brain’s workings can make the process easier. The interaction between the wise planner and impulsive toddler is why we may find it challenging to change habits and behaviors. The first step in changing habits is to identify triggers, find new behaviors that provide similar rewards, and focus on small, incremental changes. With time, new highways will develop, making the new behavior feel comfortable and effortless.
