Adjust the setting where the habit takes place

What’s getting in your way?

Peter wants to bring his own bottle, but in the morning he often has to search for it among the unwashed dishes. He bought another one, but the problem keeps happening. The missing part of the approach may not be owning a bottle. It could be washing it, getting it ready or finding a place for it among the things he takes to work. So first, look at the whole process and identify exactly where it breaks down.

Practical obstacles can include distance, time, unclear rules or missing equipment. If the recycling bin is in a hard-to-reach cupboard, a phone reminder won’t solve the problem. Try moving it somewhere more accessible or making the setup simpler. This is a suggestion for changing the conditions, not a guarantee that one change will fix everything.

A tool should make a specific action easier. Before buying an organiser or new equipment, try using what you already have. For the bottle, it might be enough to agree on a place for the clean, ready-to-go one. For waste, clear labels on the existing bins may help. Any change needs to be safe, hygienic and acceptable to the other people who use the space.

After a few opportunities to try it, notice whether the obstacle has gone away or simply moved. If you leave the bottle at home because it doesn’t fit in your bag, you need to address a different detail. It’s useful to change one main condition at a time so you can see what actually affects your routine.