Step 1: You become aware of a bad habit that you want to change.  (Your password used to be “asdf” but you changed it to “fdsa.” The next time you log in, you first type in “asdf” out of habit but it doesn’t work, and then you remember and type in the correct password.)

Step 2: You are aware of the decision point when it happens, but you still do the action.  (As you’re typing in the password “asdf” you realize you changed it.  So you delete what you typed and you retype it again, instead of submitting it and getting an error message before remembering you changed the password.)

Step 3: You’re aware of the decision point when it happens, and you start to do the right thing.  (Every now and again, you will type in “fdsa” first, but sometimes you’ll forget and type in “asdf” first.)

Step 4: With focus, time, and practice, your new habit to replace the old one. (You type “fdsa” automatically.)

See The Habits You Will Form in Life to understand what a habit is and how it is initially formed.

This post is part of AttemptedLiving’s Life Education Curriculum, a collection of core knowledge everyone should have.

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