The Main Rule of Changing Habit
Changing behavior is a difficult and time-consuming process for many. However, James Klier notes that it is enough to make a habit pleasant to repeat it. Accordingly, since the human brain tends to repeat an action that we associate with positive feelings, in order to strengthen the behavior it is necessary to make it pleasant.
Successful behavioral change does not mean only avoiding the negative. The main thing is that the new habit is accompanied by an immediate positive reward. Klier explains that rewarding behaviors are characterized by repetition, otherwise we refuse to do them.
Even a small note about the progress made at the end of the workday will signal the brain to develop a habit of noticing the achievement, which will be pleasant for it and will repeat it again. As a result, progress will be faster because positive emotions reinforce the behavior, while negative ones break it.
Many good habits have long-term consequences. Therefore, it takes time and effort to get a reward. Unfortunately, our brains often prefer immediate gratification, even if it is harmful in the long run.
For example, it is interesting why an employee would procrastinate on a project when it will cause stress when a deadline is approaching? Because procrastination seems like a time saver, so that we can devote it to other more urgent tasks and think that we still have time until the deadline is very close.
To form a quality habit, we need to find an immediate reward for striving for long-term goals, which means acting in harmony with human nature.
It is important that a good habit is based on a sense of success. Even if it is small, it shows us that our efforts were not wasted and that the result is possible. It turns out that in a way it plays the role of a motivator.
Tying a tangible reward to a habit is an effective way to maintain it and achieve long-term results. In practice, implementing this system is like a loyalty program for yourself — every time you make the right choice, you get a reward that reinforces that decision.
A long-term habit should be based on pleasure. A habit that becomes part of your daily routine requires less external encouragement over time — it is already supported by internal motivation and identity.
Simple elements such as celebrating small successes or visually noticeable progress (for example, a specially designed board or a points system) significantly increase the chance of reinforcing a behavior. The three main rules of behavior change — clarity, attractiveness, and simplicity — ensure that the behavior is performed. And making the behavior a pleasant experience increases the likelihood of its repetition, which ultimately determines the long-term consolidation of the habit.