Habits

The easier it is to do, the harder it is to change. –Eng’s Principle

I spend a lot of time in team sessions and individual coaching talking about behavior change. We discuss the value in making the change and the impact that behavior has on every level of the organization. One thing I don’t always address is how difficult behavior change can be to achieve and the fact that it takes time.

When talking about behavior change, what I am really talking about is changing habits. A study from University College London says that on average subjects who were trying to learn new habits such as eating fruit daily or going jogging took an average of 66 days before reporting that the behavior had become unchangingly automatic. Individuals ranged widely, some took 18 days, others 245. The challenge is that our brains are designed to take short cuts, keeping as many behaviors as possible automatic.

It is suggested that the best way around this is to understand that habits are responses to needs. If you eat badly, you might resolve to start eating well, but if you’re eating burgers and ice-cream to feel comforted and relaxed, trying to replace them with broccoli and carrots is not going to help. What is required is not a better diet, but an alternative way to feel comforted and relaxed.

Here are some suggestions for changing habits and/or behaviors:

1. Commit to the change
2. Work on one behavior at a time
3. Create a plan, write it down
4. Make it daily
5. Start simple

What behaviors have you been able to successfully change in your organization?