“Nowadays, encounters of the spirit must be scheduled long in advance, and even then the endless tide of deferred chores and anticipated engagements never ceases to break on our attention…
“In 1930, John Maynard Keynes predicted that in the future, as technology increased efficiency and production, a fifteen-hour work week would become the norm: ‘Thus for the first time since his creation man will be faced with his real, his permanent problem—how to use his freedom from pressing economic cares, how to occupy the leisure, which science and compound interest will have won for him, to live wisely and agreeably and well.’
“It hasn’t panned out.” — Giles Harvey, New Yorker
Charles Dugigg on the Power of Habit
Read Charles Duhigg on the Power of Habit
Making sustainable life changes is about studying yourself, not just what other people say is good for you, or what other people believe you should do.
Study yourself, your drives, your customs, your triggers, and your personal reward system. (Your personal reward system is about what makes your brain light up. Consider that these won’t all be positive things. Many of us have brains that light up on spreading guilt, shame, and pity as much as they light up from pleasure, chocolate, service, and sex).
Duhigg’s method boils down to CRR: Cue, Routine, Reward. Master this cycle and you will be able to change just about anything.
UPDATE: Duhigg gives a 15-minute TEDx talk in August 2013 on the mental activities underlying habits and decision-making; check it out.