Technology creates a level of convenience that can work against us: Binge watching becomes a habit because it takes more effort to stop looking at the screen than to continue doing so. Instead of pressing a button to advance to the next episode, Netflix or YouTube will autoplay it for you.&nbsp;

The Downside of Automation

Automation is useful for behaviors that happen too infrequently to become habitual: Things you have to do monthly or yearly (rebalancing your investment portfolio or e.g.) are never repeated frequently enough to become a habit, so they benefit in particular from technology “remembering” to do them for you.

Habits that benefit from automation

The best way to break a bad habit is to make it hard, even impossible to do. And the best way to create a good habit is to automate it so you never have to think about it again.&nbsp;

Changing and creating habits

<ul><li>Nutrition: Use smaller plates to reduce caloric intake. </li><li>Sleep: Remove your television from the bedroom. </li><li>Productivity: Delete games and social media apps from the phone. </li><li>Happiness: Get a dog. </li><li>Finance: Call your service providers (cable, electric, etc.) and ask for a lower rate. </li></ul>These one-time actions only require effort once.

Locking in good habits

John Henry Patterson was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1844. He spent his childhood doing chores on the family farm and working shifts at his father's sawmill. After attending college at Dartmouth, Patterson returned to Ohio and opened a small supply store for coal miners. It seemed like a good opportunity.

Habits that benefit from automation

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