Habits Take Shape in a Specific Context

Repetition helps, but a habit isn’t a test of character

A habit is an action repeated in a particular context that, over time, may take less conscious effort. It helps to know what you’ll do, when or after which cue you’ll try it, and how you’ll make it easier to get started. Determination alone may not be enough if the behavior is too demanding or your environment keeps getting in the way.

Habits don’t develop at the same rate for everyone. In a study by Lally and colleagues, the time participants took to reach a level of automaticity varied considerably, from 18 to 254 days. The findings don’t support a fixed rule that every habit takes 21 or 30 days to form. Lally et al.: How are habits formed?

A ritual can be a simple sequence that makes it easier to move between activities: getting things ready for the morning, wrapping up the workday, or briefly reviewing your plan. It doesn’t have to be long or stay the same all year.

When making a change, pay attention to the behavior and the conditions, not your worth as a person. If a step doesn’t work out, consider whether it was too big, poorly timed, or disrupted by circumstances. Then adjust your approach.