The Neuroscience of Habits: Atomic Changes

Don’t Trust Willpower

The brain fundamentally wants to save energy (is lazy). To perform a new action, the frontal lobe uses a lot of energy, so the brain resists. But if this is repeated and stored in the ‘Basal Ganglia’, it is performed automatically without willpower. This is a habit.

4 Laws of Habit Design

• ** Make it obvious. (Put workout clothes by the bed)
• ** Bundle it with something attractive. (Listen to podcasts while working out - Temptation Bundling)
• ** Make it easy. (Not 100 pushups, but just 1)
• ** Give immediate satisfaction. (Check V on habit checklist)