21 Ways to Make Or Break A Habit

A month ago I attended the CLO Symposium in Florida, USA. One of the highlights for me was attending American author, blogger and speaker Gretchen Rubin’s session on Understanding Habits to Manage Yourself—and Others—Better.

Rubin’s fascination with habits began during her extensive research into happiness. She became increasingly obsessed with the subject when she started to realise that almost all issues of happiness come down to the habits behind the happiness.

Gretchen became determined to solve the puzzle of habits. As she explained from the stage, it’s understandable why we can have the habit of not doing something we don’t like to do, but why do people find it difficult to form a habit to do the things they love to do? Likewise, why can some habits form overnight, when others can disappear in an instant?

Fascinatingly, she stated that 40% of our daily life is shaped by our habits. They are the internal architecture to our life.

So what is a habit?

At its core, it’s decision making. Gretchen has found 21 strategies that she believes can make or break a habit. But in order to succeed we have to do it in the way that is right for us. There is no one solution for everyone.

Although in many ways, we are all alike—what makes us different is very important. Rubin outlined a number of essential differences in how people approach the world. She highlighted certain differences in people such as Abstainers vs. Moderators (how we resist temptation) and also Marathoners vs. Sprinters vs. Procrastinators (our pace of work).

She went on to question why some people seem to have an easier time creating habits than others, and detailed a personality framework based on four types: questioners, upholders, obligers and rebels – groupings that are based on how people respond to a request or order. All of these aspects can affect how an individual can make or break a habit. At the CLO Symposium she gave scenarios of how each personality can influence workplace productivity.

Gretchen Rubin CLO Symposium

Gretchen Rubin talking at the CLO Symposium. Watch this session here.

Understanding these differences can allow us to manage ourselves and other people better.

Whilst I was listening to Gretchen Rubin I couldn’t help but view her presentation through my learning transfer spectacles! Creating real change after a learning event often means we need to focus on habitual behaviour in order for an individual to change.

I encourage you to read her book Better than Before – my copy is sat on my bedside table! You can also listen to her weekly podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin, where she discusses good habits and happiness with her sister, Elizabeth Craft.

I came across another really interesting talk about breaking habits recently on TED from Psychiatrist Judson Brewer. He believes that curiosity is the path to breaking habits. Check out his TED talk here.

As Gretchen Rubin sees it, better habits lead the path towards growth, and growth leads to greater happiness. What more could you want!

Emma Weber is a recognized authority on the transfer of learning. As CEO of Lever – Transfer of Learning, she has helped companies such as Telstra, Oracle and BMW deliver and measure tangible business results from learning. Emma has also been a guest speaker at learning effectiveness conferences worldwide and authored the hugely successful book Turning Learning into Action. Much more detail around the issues and solutions examined in this article are available in the book – please feel free to download a free chapter.