10/03/2023
As we embark on this Habit series I wanted to chat about the Habit Loop.
Best described as a feedback loop, the Habit Loop is a four step process that is not something that happens occasionally but rather it is an endless feedback loop that is running and active during every moment you are alive.
This "habit loop" is continually scanning the environment, predicting what will happen next, trying out different responses, and learning from the results.
In summery, the cue triggers a craving, which motivates a response, which provides a reward, which satisfies the craving and , ultimately, becomes associate with the cue. Together, these four steps create a neurological feedback loop.
How do we consciously put this into action...
We can split these four steps into two phases: the problem phase and the solution phase. The problem phase includes the cue and the craving, and it is when you realize that something needs to change. The solution phase includes the response and the reward, and it is when you take action and achieve the change you desire.
All behavior is driven by the desire to solve a problem. Sometimes the problem is that you notice something good and you want to obtain it. Sometimes the problem is that you are experiencing pain and you want to relieve it. Either way, the purpose of every habit is to solve the problems you face.