In the late 90’s there was a mobile phone game called “snake.”
In “Snake” we navigated the journey of the snake within some fixed boundaries by changing direction only, without being able to stop it. Once the game started, it didn’t stop until it was over.
In a similar way, our habit formation process is fast and sometimes even begins subconsciously. We can’t “stop” the habit.
But, if we don’t like where it’s going, we might just be able to shift directions. We can habit switch.
The habit development process has three parts: Cue, Practice (routine) and Reward and runs mechanically, until it becomes subconscious.
Switching makes sense: we face the cue, then some kind of “practice” still needs to take place.
So, if the habit is to buy a chocolate bar on the way out of the supermarket, we have:
Cue: exiting supermarket
Practice: buying chocolate
Reward: mmm chocolate.
Now, if we don’t want to be buying the chocolate, the idea of the switch is important. We “insert” a new practice and reward, for the same cue. For example:
Cue: exiting supermarket
Practice: buy some flowers to give to your friend
Reward: Giving flowers to your friend feels pretty good!
The habit switch is a great tool.
