Book Discussion: Atomic Habits - The Difference Between Choices & Options
Week Five: Continued Book Discussion: Atomic Habits
The truth is that many of the actions we take each day are shaped not by purposeful drive and choice, but by the most obvious option. - James Clear, Atomic Habits
The discussion today centered around the ‘how and why’ we do the things we do.
Herd Mentality
The chapter heading for our discussion is “Motivation is Overrated: Environment Often Matters More”.
The example given was of how someone changed the eating habits of employees of a large hospital. This was accomplished without ever speaking to anyone.
It was simply a matter of visibility and availability.
The bottom line is that in a herd situation, in this case hundreds eating in the cafeteria, a subtle change in what choices were presented and accessibility of those choices had a huge impact on the habits of those affected.
Mr. Clear writes, “a small change in what you see can lead to a big shift in what you do”.
One part of the cafeteria experiment consisted of the increased availability/visibility of bottles of water from just two locations to multiple strategic locations, including more in the coolers which used to be mostly soft drinks.
The result was a marked increase in water consumption and decrease in soda consumption.
So, we see from this example that an option is something presented to us. A choice is our ability to pick which option we want to go with.
No Other Options Presented
We see this phenomenon in action every day in political ideologies and cultural trends which are shaped by news cycles. Our perception about certain people or events is carefully created by the frequency the prevailing narrative of what is being broadcast.
And often, any opposing viewpoint, no matter how valid, is not allowed to see the light of day.
When no alternative option is presented, like a herd of cattle, we tend to automatically go in the direction we are being led.
Personal Application
With regard to personal habits, the whole purpose of this chapter is to emphasize that “we are more likely to notice (and choose) things that stand out”.
Conversely, As Jeff Olsen points out in The Slight Edge, “what is easy to do is also easy not to do”. Especially when the obvious cue is missing.
A clear example of this is that I know that Josh and I meet for coffee and current book discussion of Atomic Habits at 0515 every Tuesday morning.
However, unless I put the book in a very visible place (cue) to prompt reading, I will forget about it until late the night before, when my eyes will not focus on anything but sleep.
The obvious solution is to keep the book next to my computer, so it is visible. When I take a break from writing, I can read a page or two.
The Nature of Habits
Habits are interesting because we can hum along doing a particular thing everyday at the same time, but then one day, the cue is removed or hidden and we completely forget about it. This response is instantaneous, not something that gradually fades away.
The phrase, “out of sight, out of mind” comes to mind.
A quick example of this was at the exit gate on a military base where I worked. Occasionally there was a speed detecting radar set up to show the speeds of vehicles leaving the base.
When it was present, everyone stayed close to the posted speed. However, as soon as it was removed, speeds would immediately increase to around 10-15 MPH over the speed limit.
Setting Goals Is Not Enough - Habits Must Be Created
So, the question for us is what habits do we want to cultivate, keep, modify, or change?
Habit stacking, talked about in the previous chapter (5) addresses these questions. This is basically stacking habits so that one is cued from a previous one, etc.
Using the Habit Loop format
(Cue>Craving>Response>Reward), the trick is to make good habit cues visible while making poor habit cues invisible. This triggers the correct cravings and response, bringing about the desired reward.
Change Who You Are to Accomplish What You Want to Do
What habits do you want to remove or impliment in your own life?
Remember that lasting results come from internal changes in our perception of who we are which works outward into what we do, not the other way around.
That is why just setting goals is not enough.
I hope you will think about this as much as I have. How we live our own lives can truly influence and make a difference in the lives of those around us - good or bad.
As the Psalmist says, “Selah” - think on these things.
Until next time, my friends . . .