How to Make Good Habits Inevitable and Bad Habits Impossible
Link to purchaseCornell Notes
Main Notes
- Victor Hugo used a commitment device to overcome procrastination while writing 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'
- A commitment device is a present choice that controls future actions
- Commitment devices can make bad habits difficult and lock in good habits
- John Henry Patterson discovered the power of automating ethical behavior through cash registers
- Onetime actions can create increasing value over time and lock in good habits
- Technology can be used to automate good habits and eliminate bad ones
- Automation can free up time and energy for growth, but can also enable acting on impulses
- The author experimented with a time management strategy to limit social media use
- Removing easy distractions can make it easier to focus on meaningful tasks
- Automation can make good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible
Cue Column
- How can extreme measures help overcome procrastination?
- What is the purpose of a commitment device?
- How can making bad habits difficult improve behavior?
- How did the invention of the cash register change business practices?
- What are some examples of onetime actions that can improve long-term habits?
- How can technology be used to reinforce good habits?
- What are the potential downsides of automation in habit formation?
- How can limiting access to distractions improve productivity?
- What is the relationship between ease of access and habit formation?
- How can automation be used strategically in habit development?
Summary
This chapter explores strategies for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible.
It introduces the concept of commitment devices, illustrated by Victor Hugo's extreme measure to overcome procrastination.
The text emphasizes the power of making bad habits difficult to execute, rather than solely focusing on making good habits easy.
The chapter delves into the history of the cash register, invented by James Ritty and popularized by John Henry Patterson.
The cash register serves as an example of how automating ethical behavior can be more effective than trying to change individual actions.
A significant portion of the chapter is dedicated to the idea of onetime actions that can have long-lasting effects on habit formation.
These actions, such as buying a water filter or unsubscribing from emails, can make good habits easier to maintain over time.
The role of technology in habit formation is a key theme.
The author argues that automation can be a powerful tool for maintaining good habits and preventing bad ones.
However, he also warns about the potential downsides of technology, such as enabling impulsive behaviors.
The chapter concludes with a personal anecdote from the author about managing social media usage.
This illustrates how making bad habits impossible (by locking himself out of social media accounts) can lead to improved focus and productivity.
Overall, the chapter emphasizes the importance of environmental design and technological tools in shaping behavior.
It moves beyond willpower to create systems that naturally lead to better habits.