According to Charles Duhigg, the author of The Power of Habit, there are really only a handful of triggers that influence whether we drift into “auto-pilot” and choose an OLD habit. Keep in mind that those same triggers can also be the crossroads where we choose courage over comfort and take hold of a NEW habit. However, without knowing your trigger, you are most likely doomed to stay in your OLD habit loop. I for one am tired of doing that.
Since acronyms can be helpful, I took a firm grasp of my poetic license and liberally created T.O.I.L.E.T. (Is there any doubt we all have an inner middle schooler living in our brains at times.) So, take a second and become mindful of an OLD habit you want to get rid of. See if you can identify one of Duigg’s five triggers that continues to take you out:
T - Time - Is there a particular time of day that leaves you most vulnerable?
O - Other People - "Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you"? (Thank you, Foo Fighters)
I - Immediate Preceding Action - What is happening right before you are tempted to lean back into OLD habits?
L - Location - Is there a location you pass in your car, a weekly team meeting, or the office break room that seems to be your Kryptonite?
E - Emotional State - When you notice an emotion (Fear, Anger, Sadness, Surprise, Joy, Love, etc.) does this tend to hurl you towards your Old Habit?
T - Time - If you couldn’t find your trigger from the list above, go back through the list with the help of a coach or friend who listens well and try again. It’s in there.
Drifting into “auto-pilot” and choosing an OLD habit doesn’t mean you are weak. It just means that your plan is weak. Attack the OLD habit by first understanding your trigger.
Cut yourself some slack, if the whole world didn’t struggle with drifting into OLD habits then Charles wouldn’t have made a ton of money selling this book.
If you are up for a little help then click on the yellow [Contact Jeff] button in the upper right hand corner of this page. We can grab a phone call or a cup of coffee and I’ll tell you more about how leadership coaching can guide you toward your preferred future AND towards NEW habits.