5 Hacks to Create Powerful Habits

If we want to take greater charge of our lives, we need to reverse-engineer our habits. Instead of letting the unconscious decide our future, we need to reflect on what we want, then consciously create powerful habits that lead to this desired future.

Since this process does take mental energy initially, here are five research-backed hacks you can use to make your brain work for you—rather than opting for the easy way out.

1. Take Changes One at a Time
2. Consistency Is Key
3. Cues And Rewads
4. Make It Difficult
5. Whypower vs. Willpower

When we set out to bring positive change often try to change everything at once. But we know from Roy Baumeister's research that willpower is a depleting resource .

That's why Pick the habit that's causing you the most misery, or the one that’s the greatest obstacle to your growth. Or, if you’re a first-timer in building habits, choose one that you're ready to change—but just one. You're not trying to prove yourself to anyone. Then move on to the next hack.

Next promise yourself that you'll be consistent with the change . Christine Carter, Ph.D. says that you may want to have a BTN (Best to Nothing) for your habit.

A BTN is a mini version of the habit that you’ll still engage in even if circumstances beyond your control prevent you from doing the full thing. For example, if your habit is a 30-minute workout every day before work, but unexpected events happen you still need to do your BTN—in this case, maybe it’s 50 jumping jacks, or running up and down the stairs a few times—so your brain still knows that exercise happens before work.

Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit , has found that habit formation follows three key steps.

1. First there's the cue that reminds you of the habit.
2. Then there's the positive habit that typically replaces a negative one.
3. And finally, there's the reward that signals to your brain that it was an enjoyable process and that you'd want to do it again.

For example place your floss beside your toothpaste (cue), then floss after brushing (habit), and finally, rinse with your favorite minty-fresh mouthwash (reward). 

Skip any of these steps, and your habit formation is a long and painful ride!

Now that you’re immersed in your new habit, use your environment to your advantage. Changing a habit is difficult for the simple reason that it happens outside of conscious awareness. You can make the process easier for yourself by making it difficult to engage in a bad habit you’re trying to let go of.

For example, if you’re trying to stop eating unhealthy snacks, remove them from your kitchen completely or replace them with healthy alternatives.

Despite all the hacks above, there may be days when you really are drained and have no energy to work on your new habit. No reason to lose heart!

You can tap into a higher source of energy that bypasses willpower—your why power. Unlike willpower, whypower connects you to the bigger reason you want to change your habit. For example, the difference it'll make to those you care about, or the benefits it'll have on others or perhaps the world in some way.

Remember, you will engage in habits regardless. So why not engage in positive ones that help you pursue a well-lived life? These habits will free up your mental energy to be present with the people around you and the things that matter to you