When a habit emerges, the brain stops fully participating in decision making. It stops working so hard, or diverts focus to other tasks. So unless you deliberately fight a habit, unless you find new routines, the pattern will unfold automatically.

Habits and brain functioning

The process in which the brain converts a sequence of actions into an automatic routine is known as ‘chunking,’ and it’s at the root of how habits form.

Chunking - The Root of Habits

A habit cannot be eradicated—it must, instead, be replaced. And if we keep the same cue and the same reward, a new routine can be inserted. But that’s not enough. For a habit to stay changed, people must believe change is possible. And most often, that belief only emerges with the help of a group.

The Golden Rule of habit change

...because the brain is constantly looking for ways to save effort. It will try to make almost any routine into a habit, because habits allow our minds to ramp down more often. This effort-saving instinct is a huge advantage.

Habits emerge...

<ul><li>First, there is a cue, a trigger that tells your brain to go into automatic mode and which habit to use.</li><li>Then there is the routine, which can be physical or mental or emotional.</li><li>Finally, there is a reward, which helps your brain figure out if this particular loop is worth remembering for the future.</li></ul>

The 3 Step Loop of Habit Formation:

From The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business Chunking - The Root of Habits The process-in which the brain converts a sequence of actions into an automatic routine-is known as 'chunking,' and it's at the root of how habits form. Why do Habits Emerge?

Chunking - The Root of Habits

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The Mechanics Of Habit Formation

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