1.The 3 R's of Habit

EFFORT

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

Maya Angelou (poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist)

 

...So what are your habits???

Habits are often referred to as ‘the invisible architecture of our lives’.

If you had to list three study habits you’d rather not have, what would they be?

What are your good habits?

Remember, it's far easier to start a new habit, than break an old one!

To improve your study skills, a key message to understand is...

EFFORT IS HABIT

Big Idea

  • Stanford University has a "Persuasive Technology Lab"

  • Academics study how interactive Technology used in social media and gaming is changing our habits

  • Graduates from the lab are credited with developing how mobile phone apps, eg. Snapchat, etc develop habit formation

  • They developed algorythms which generate the repeated patterns and "Streaks" that get us addicted to using our mobile phones!

  • However EFFORT can also become a positive HABIT

  • Some people already have the effort habit, while other's don't - Which are you?

The great thing is that Habits aren't set forever. They come and go.

..meaning you can break old habits and form new ones

All you need is the motivation to do it!

Excerpt from "Atomic Habits"

- James Clear

Below is a diagram showing the "Habit Loop". Hover over each circle to learn more

The "Cue" is the trigger for the habit, ie. a location, a time of day, a noise, an emotional state, etc

The "Craving" is the motivational force for the habit. We don't crave the habit itself, but the "change of state" it creates.eg. We don't want to watch TV, we want to be entertained

The "Response" is the actual habit you perform, either a thought or an action.

Whether a response occurs depends on how motivated you are and how much friction is associated with the behaviour.

"Rewards" are the end goal of a habit. The Cue is about noticing the reward.

The craving is about wanting the reward.

The response is about obtaining the reward.

We chase rewards because they serve two purposes: (1) they satisfy us and (2) they teach us.

OLD HABITS REQUIRE EFFORT TO CHANGE.

MAKING THEM VERY POWERFUL ONCE THEY ARE FORMED

HOW CAN YOU DEVELOP SOME NEW POSITIVE HABITS?

2. Choose a a routine that is easy to achieve. It might be :

  • To sort out your notes for 30mins.

  • Review your homework.

  • Do 1 hrs research and take notes on a difficult topic.

  • At this stage remember:

In the Beginning,

Performance Doesn't Matter

 

ROUTINE

MATTERS

THE HABIT PLANNING GRID

1. First choose a trigger attached to something that happens to you everyday. For example:

  • At the end of every lunch hour I will…

  • As I finish my breakfast I will...

  • At 3pm, at the end of the school day, I will…

  • After my trip to Costa I will…

REMINDER


 
ROUTINE


 
REWARD


 

THE HABIT PLANNING GRID

Now over to you... 

Try using a grid like this one to start planning some positive EFFORT habits

TRY THIS GREAT WEBSITE, DEVELOPED BY THE STANFORDLAB, TO HELP CREATE NEW HABITS.

Final Thoughts

  • Remember - it's far easier to start a new habit, than break an old one!

  • When you plan a new habit, don’t use the negative language associated with breaking habits -

  • Avoid “I must stop being lazy…” or “I’ve got to stop missing homework”.

  • Instead use, “From Monday, I’m going to start working harder”

  • Allow yourself slips and mistakes. They happen to everyone.

  • Successful students keep going even when they’ve broken a habit.

  • Unsuccessful students give everything up when they make a mistake - don’t let this be you!