Choice – making a decision: what to do today? What do we work on? Each choice means we aren’t choosing something else. There’s a cost. And, that’s OK.
Preference – We choose, again, but now it’s looking a little similar. Still a conscious decision (we’re aware of the decision), even though we know we have the preference.
Habit – A semi-automatic behaviour: no decision involved. It takes “less” energy (which means its a lower energetic state). Habitual thinking, speaking and acting. Includes unconscious distraction.
These can all look pretty similar on the outside.
But the key difference between the first two and the third is attention (not concentration, which still gives space for habit).
Choosing, and having a preference both involve attention. Not so with habit.
While there’s a lot of hype around habit as the secret to success, the main issues we tend to face as individuals, and as a culture, are due to habit – path dependence, lack of innovation, habitual thinking, habitual relating and habitual discrimination.
Conversely, our breakthroughs (as individuals and as a culture) are non-habitual, and they tend to come during times of high energy, or a lot of resources.
So rather than try to tweak habits as the focus, what if we prioritise attention, and work to keep dropping habits? Firstly, we need to generate a ton of energy. This requires a far sharper mind, because we are breaking out of the sleepy rut of repeating the past.
Secondly, habit will still exist, as the byproduct of repeated behaviour, but the difference is it’s not the focus area. We are watchful for habits, and focused on cultivating attention (and intention)
Habit proponents and authors are selling into a habit-addicted, hungry market. The idea that a few tweaks to habit can change our life is pretty attractive when habits are already running the show.
But habit is in the past. Habit happens. Attention, intention and the energy to do both of these is where the progress lies.
*I’d argue Stephen Covey’s book “Seven Habits” is arguably all about non-habitual behaviour. It’s a collection of “patterns” of highly attentive and intentional ways of being. Effective, and, hardly automatic.
